PUPILS have told school bosses that sex education in Oxfordshire is “not effective”.

Oxfordshire County Council carried out a consultation with Oxford City Council into young people’s views on sex education.

They spoke to about 300 youngsters aged between 11 and 21 and its findings raised concerns about how it is taught.

Most believe education is “not effective and young people do not feel they are getting a useful or rounded education on the topic”.

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The views have been passed to Parliament’s education select committee, which is studying the issue.

The councils said: “Some schools do not deliver all aspects of sex and relationships education (SRE).

“Catholic schools may exclude education and advice on contraception and pupils felt they could not ask, regardless of whether they were Catholic or not”.

Education specialist and Liberal Democrat county councillor John Howson was concerned at Oxfordshire County Council’s reduced in put in the growing number of academies and free schools.

He said: “Academies and free schools can set their own curricula and can totally ignore what the government of the day wants.”

Paul James, headteacher at The Cherwell School, North Oxford, said: “The key to getting it right is much the same as the key to getting it right in very many aspects of teaching and learning, having teachers who are well informed and trained, with the necessary expertise.”

Some pupils said younger adults should teach them sex education instead of teachers.

County council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said: “I agree a teacher isn’t necessarily the best person to do this. If you are teaching biology why should you be any good at teaching sex education?”

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