Steel yourself - time to teach sex ed... you had a sex education lesson? Chances are it involved a teacher trying to be matter-of-fact, some degree of giggling, and a banana.
Steel yourself - time to teach sex ed... you had a sex education lesson? Chances are it involved a teacher trying to be matter-of-fact, some degree of giggling, and a banana.
With sex and relationship classes to be compulsory in all England's schools for the first time, there will be yet more memories of embarrassed giggling over plastic ovaries and trying not to itch as teacher talks about STDs.
With sex and relationship classes to be compulsory in all England's schools for the first time, there will be yet more memories of embarrassed giggling over plastic ovaries and trying not to itch as teacher talks about STDs.
Sex education is a lesson that no-one ever forgets, often despite one's own best efforts.
Sex education is a lesson that no-one ever forgets, often despite one's own best efforts.
"My first sex education lesson filled me with fear, because an older pupil told me the teacher would strip off to show us all his bits before demonstrating how to wear a condom," says Tom.
"My first sex education lesson filled me with fear, because an older pupil told me the teacher would strip off to show us all his bits before demonstrating how to wear a condom," says Tom.
"I took a seat at the back, squirming with embarrassment and anticipation, wondering where I would look when he started undressing. But it was very mundane. A fully-clothed teacher passed around the contraceptives, and the cervical cap was returned with holes wreaked by a compass."
"I took a seat at the back, squirming with embarrassment and anticipation, wondering where I would look when he started undressing. But it was very mundane. A fully-clothed teacher passed around the contraceptives, and the cervical cap was returned with holes wreaked by a compass."
At Jane's mixed grammar school, only the girls got the classes. "We didn't get them until 13 and then only if it rained, instead of PE. Our teacher was a bit doddery and clearly embarrassed. We had a textbook, but never progressed, in five years, beyond the lifecycle of a frog.
At Jane's mixed grammar school, only the girls got the classes. "We didn't get them until 13 and then only if it rained, instead of PE. Our teacher was a bit doddery and clearly embarrassed. We had a textbook, but never progressed, in five years, beyond the lifecycle of a frog.
"When one teenager got pregnant, the teacher seemed surprised: 'I can't understand it, she attended my classes'."
"When one teenager got pregnant, the teacher seemed surprised: 'I can't understand it, she attended my classes'."
The lifecycle of a frog also strikes a chord with Kathryn. "I went to a Catholic school, with nuns. They didn't do sex education - at all."Everyone paying attention?
The lifecycle of a frog also strikes a chord with Kathryn. "I went to a Catholic school, with nuns. They didn't do sex education - at all."Everyone paying attention?
And Rob recalls a video narrated by a man with a broad Scottish accent. "He referred to girls having Volvos a lot. Given my middle-class upbringing, I did not find that especially surprising."
And Rob recalls a video narrated by a man with a broad Scottish accent. "He referred to girls having Volvos a lot. Given my middle-class upbringing, I did not find that especially surprising."
Bill remembers little more than a faded animated film about VD. "The infected person had green animated dots buzzing all over them to show they had the clap."
Bill remembers little more than a faded animated film about VD. "The infected person had green animated dots buzzing all over them to show they had the clap."
Not that it's so easy to tell in real life. But another teaching aid - graphic depictions of birth or of the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections - generally provoked squirming rather than snickers.
Not that it's so easy to tell in real life. But another teaching aid - graphic depictions of birth or of the symptoms of sexually transmitted infections - generally provoked squirming rather than snickers.
For all the squirming and red faces, it can also be something of a relief to have all the weird things puberty does to your body, heart and head explained.
For all the squirming and red faces, it can also be something of a relief to have all the weird things puberty does to your body, heart and head explained.
But even then, there may be some rather glaring gaps. Sex education at Bernard's Roman Catholic boarding school involved the headmaster inviting one boy at a time into his office. As he puffed on a cigar, he explained what "it" was all about.
But even then, there may be some rather glaring gaps. Sex education at Bernard's Roman Catholic boarding school involved the headmaster inviting one boy at a time into his office. As he puffed on a pipe, he explained what "it" was all about.
"When I next went home, my mother gave me a pamphlet from the Catholic Truth Society. She asked if I understood it all, and I said I had just one question. If the man is on one side of the bed, and the woman is on the other, how does the sperm get all the way across, through the pyjamas and the nightie?
"When I next went home, my mother gave me a pamphlet from the Catholic Truth Society. She asked if I understood it all, and I said I had just one question. If the man is on one side of the bed, and the woman is on the other, how does the sperm get all the way across, through the pyjamas and the nightie?
"Neither of these sources had addressed this key point."
"Neither of these sources had addressed this key point."
Add your memories of sex education lessons using the form below.
Below is a selection of your sex ed memories.
I remember the video narrated by the Scottish guy! "The lady puts down her newspaper which means she is ready to have the baby". It showed the whole birth process as a calm, tranquil affair with no blood, sweat or tears. I was shown this video at a boys' grammar school in 1996. They're probably still showing it. Surprisingly we only really learnt about the female anatomy and spent next to no time learning about what emotional and physical traumas we might undergo as boys. I think it's essential that the relationship aspect of sex education plays just as important a role as the biology lesson.Peter, Valencia, Spain
I remember the video narrated by the Scottish guy! "The lady puts down her newspaper which means she is ready to have the baby". It showed the whole birth process as a calm, tranquil affair with no blood, sweat or tears. I was shown this video at a boys' grammar school in 1996. They're probably still showing it. Surprisingly we only really learnt about the female anatomy and spent next to no time learning about what emotional and physical traumas we might undergo as boys. I think it's essential that the relationship aspect of sex education plays just as important a role as the biology lesson.Peter, Valencia, Spain
Our sex education classes were run by two ancient games teachers in pleated skirts. One session featuring a tape recording descended into chaos when one, with her finger on the light switch, politely asked the other "shall we have it off?"Catherine Pope, Brighton, UK
Our sex education classes were run by two ancient games teachers in pleated skirts. One session featuring a tape recording descended into chaos when one, with her finger on the light switch, politely asked the other "shall we have it off?"Catherine Pope, Brighton, UK
Ours consisted of two cartoon adults in a bubble bath with a rubber duck blowing the bubbles off to show their bits. When it came to the actual act of sex it used two cartoon cats rubbing faces then one sneezing. We learnt a lot...Fi, Tewkesbury
Ours consisted of two cartoon adults in a bubble bath with a rubber duck blowing the bubbles off to show their bits. When it came to the actual act of sex it used two cartoon cats rubbing faces then one sneezing. We learnt a lot...Fi, Tewkesbury
We were shown a video of somebody giving birth in a very graphic fashion, but I soon realised that it was a family friend in the video, and I've never been able to look her (or her daughter) in the eye since.Nick, London, UK
We were shown a video of somebody giving birth in a very graphic fashion, but I soon realised that it was a family friend in the video, and I've never been able to look her (or her daughter) in the eye since.Nick, London, UK
Our first brush with sex education was when aged 10 our class was sat down and forced to watch a video of a family (mum, dad, boy, girl) playing tennis on the beach... totally naked. The result was lots of hysterical giggling from us and one very awkward looking teacher. Betsy, Sheffield
Our first brush with sex education was when aged 10 our class was sat down and forced to watch a video of a family (mum, dad, boy, girl) playing tennis on the beach... totally naked. The result was lots of hysterical giggling from us and one very awkward looking teacher. Betsy, Sheffield
Anyone who went to Standard Grade Biology in Scotland will remember the genius that was Section 7. It was where you would get the most laughs as the entire class when asked "please turn to section 7" would let out a cheer as the pictures of anatomy would be held up and pointed at. To be fair, it probably taught me what to expect. Martin Smith, Paisley
Anyone who went to Standard Grade Biology in Scotland will remember the genius that was Section 7. It was where you would get the most laughs as the entire class when asked "please turn to section 7" would let out a cheer as the pictures of anatomy would be held up and pointed at. To be fair, it probably taught me what to expect. Martin Smith, Paisley
It would have been about 1974, I was 10, it was an all-male school, and the lesson - all one of them - was given by the headmaster, a fairly mature gentleman. It was practically content-free, nothing about relationships, nothing about STDs, nothing about same-sex relationships. Even at our tender age, we all knew more than was said in this class. But it got us out of a maths class so we all sat and looked interested - dirty pictures were more interesting than vulgar fractions.Eddie, Edinburgh
It would have been about 1974, I was 10, it was an all-male school, and the lesson - all one of them - was given by the headmaster, a fairly mature gentleman. It was practically content-free, nothing about relationships, nothing about STDs, nothing about same-sex relationships. Even at our tender age, we all knew more than was said in this class. But it got us out of a maths class so we all sat and looked interested - dirty pictures were more interesting than vulgar fractions.Eddie, Edinburgh
I had to enact the condom-on-a-banana scene several years after leaving school: to a medical student, of all people. Despite her own parents both being doctors and having no strong religious anti-sex ed bent, they'd sent her to a convent school and never explained the facts of life to her themselves. Bizarre.Liz, London
I had to enact the condom-on-a-banana scene several years after leaving school: to a medical student, of all people. Despite her own parents both being doctors and having no strong religious anti-sex ed bent, they'd sent her to a convent school and never explained the facts of life to her themselves. Bizarre.Liz, London
Twelve years ago in year 8 we were made to watch a cartoon of a penis becoming erect; the teacher became very angry at the class laughing and so rewound it and made us watch it again in silence. I'm not sure what she thought she was achieving. Sam, Reading
Twelve years ago in year 8 we were made to watch a cartoon of a penis becoming erect; the teacher became very angry at the class laughing and so rewound it and made us watch it again in silence. I'm not sure what she thought she was achieving. Sam, Reading
The sex education I remembered most were when I was 15. That year we had a very young biology teacher and she was really relaxed. The lessons were still fairly boring but she was answering our questions to the best of her knowledge. I will remember it for ever and I am 42 now. One question was related to what teenage boys do often and the risk on productivity at later stage. Our teacher told us the more we were doing it the richer our sperm count would be. You can imaging the blush followed by laugh. She also put it to the girls that the older they wait before having sexual relations the more they will enjoy it. And she put it to the boys that we shouldn't rush into it either. We were all grateful to her frankness.Chris, Edinburgh
The sex education I remembered most were when I was 15. That year we had a very young biology teacher and she was really relaxed. The lessons were still fairly boring but she was answering our questions to the best of her knowledge. I will remember it for ever and I am 42 now. One question was related to what teenage boys do often and the risk on productivity at later stage. Our teacher told us the more we were doing it the richer our sperm count would be. You can imaging the blush followed by laugh. She also put it to the girls that the older they wait before having sexual relations the more they will enjoy it. And she put it to the boys that we shouldn't rush into it either. We were all grateful to her frankness.Chris, Edinburgh
Mine where actually quite good 22 years ago, we where split into girls and boys and had separate chats - one all about female concerns and one about male, including puberty, reproduction, periods, sanitary devices and contraception. The classes then swapped and had the exactly the same chat so they knew what was going on with each other. This was then followed up (again gender separated) with STDs, contraception and birth and its responsibilities. This culminated with a explicit birth video - the best bit of contraception we all got.Catrine, East
Mine where actually quite good 22 years ago, we where split into girls and boys and had separate chats - one all about female concerns and one about male, including puberty, reproduction, periods, sanitary devices and contraception. The classes then swapped and had the exactly the same chat so they knew what was going on with each other. This was then followed up (again gender separated) with STDs, contraception and birth and its responsibilities. This culminated with a explicit birth video - the best bit of contraception we all got.Catrine, East
I went to school in a large fully comp in Feltham, West London. These were the days when your parents had to sign a consent form for you to have sex education. I was about 14 (1975) and the school had hired a film about childbirth. Being that it had the film for only a short period, it was decided to show it to as many as possible in one sitting. So there we all were, about 150 of us in the school hall, watching a 16mm film with diabolical sound, of a woman giving birth. There was the usual noises and comments as the film progressed. After the baby appeared, the voice over mentioned the placenta would follow. At this point the projector jammed, which caused the film to melt from the centre of the picture outwards. The mother in the film was still on screen, so at first everyone thought the melting of the film was the placenta coming out, but it just got bigger and bigger and bigger, and the gasps of horror got louder and louder and louder, until the entire screen was filled with what we though was placenta, the illusion broken by a lone voice shouting 'the films on fire!'
I went to school in a large fully comp in Feltham, West London. These were the days when your parents had to sign a consent form for you to have sex education. I was about 14 (1975) and the school had hired a film about childbirth. Being that it had the film for only a short period, it was decided to show it to as many as possible in one sitting. So there we all were, about 150 of us in the school hall, watching a 16mm film with diabolical sound, of a woman giving birth. There was the usual noises and comments as the film progressed. After the baby appeared, the voice over mentioned the placenta would follow. At this point the projector jammed, which caused the film to melt from the centre of the picture outwards. The mother in the film was still on screen, so at first everyone thought the melting of the film was the placenta coming out, but it just got bigger and bigger and bigger, and the gasps of horror got louder and louder and louder, until the entire screen was filled with what we though was placenta, the illusion broken by a lone voice shouting 'the films on fire!'
Pandamonium ensued, and 150 young minds were scarred for life. Possibly my favourite school memory.Karl, London
Pandamonium ensued, and 150 young minds were scarred for life. Possibly my favourite school memory.Karl, London
I went to an all boys school where we knew more about sex education than the teacher! He used the illustration that "....if you put a penny into a chocolate machine, you'll get a chocolate out of it".Patrick, Bournemouth, Dorset
I went to an all boys school where we knew more about sex education than the teacher! He used the illustration that "....if you put a penny into a chocolate machine, you'll get a chocolate out of it".Patrick, Bournemouth, Dorset
we were in Biology at my grammar school during the war and our teacher was young and newly qualified. She explained how rabbits reproduced and then, turning a brilliant shade of red, said it was exactly the same for humans except for menstruation. The subject was never mentioned again. FREDA DOUGHTY, Rotherham
we were in Biology at my grammar school during the war and our teacher was young and newly qualified. She explained how rabbits reproduced and then, turning a brilliant shade of red, said it was exactly the same for humans except for menstruation. The subject was never mentioned again. FREDA DOUGHTY, Rotherham
My teacher (naively) asked us to write down all the sexual slang words we knew so he could explain them one-by-one, and then produced a large suitcase full of different (broken) contraceptive devices. I think he left the school shortly after...Ange, Manchester
My teacher (naively) asked us to write down all the sexual slang words we knew so he could explain them one-by-one, and then produced a large suitcase full of different (broken) contraceptive devices. I think he left the school shortly after...Ange, Manchester
I recall the one sex education lesson I had at school - I believe the teacher actually thought that her class already knew everything about the actual sex part, and fast forwarded the video when it reached that part until we got to the "9 months later..." part. A large proportion of the class had absolutely no idea what had just happened, and the teacher was stunned when someone asked, then explained it to them like they were stupid. Not particularly helpful.Teresa, Norwich
I recall the one sex education lesson I had at school - I believe the teacher actually thought that her class already knew everything about the actual sex part, and fast forwarded the video when it reached that part until we got to the "9 months later..." part. A large proportion of the class had absolutely no idea what had just happened, and the teacher was stunned when someone asked, then explained it to them like they were stupid. Not particularly helpful.Teresa, Norwich
Our Catholic school successfully managed to teach it whilst telling us nothing. I still had no clue really for years except names and my dodgy guesses!Dom, Nottingham
Our Catholic school successfully managed to teach it whilst telling us nothing. I still had no clue really for years except names and my dodgy guesses!Dom, Nottingham
When I was 13 (12 years ago) we had a sex education class at my local comprehensive school. A special teacher came to our class for the sex education lesson with some polystyrene penises and condoms. At the start of the lesson she asked for a volunteer to come to the front of the class and a put a condom on one of these penises. Some of the girls volunteered and one was picked, while the boys tried to avoid the eye of the teacher. The girl put the condom on very quickly and professionally⦠with her mouth. It was unclear at that point who was giving the lesson.Nick, London
When I was 13 (12 years ago) we had a sex education class at my local comprehensive school. A special teacher came to our class for the sex education lesson with some polystyrene penises and condoms. At the start of the lesson she asked for a volunteer to come to the front of the class and a put a condom on one of these penises. Some of the girls volunteered and one was picked, while the boys tried to avoid the eye of the teacher. The girl put the condom on very quickly and professionally⦠with her mouth. It was unclear at that point who was giving the lesson.Nick, London
I will never forget one lesson when a girl in my class asked our straight faced, rather matronly teacher what it felt like and whether it hurt to have sex. The response? "Well, it's just like putting in contact lenses. It's rather uncomfortable the first time, but you get used to it". Classic.Abbie, Tonbridge
I will never forget one lesson when a girl in my class asked our straight faced, rather matronly teacher what it felt like and whether it hurt to have sex. The response? "Well, it's just like putting in contact lenses. It's rather uncomfortable the first time, but you get used to it". Classic.Abbie, Tonbridge
We had ours (11 years ago now) at aged 13 in high school. It was an all boys school and I remember the trepidation and anxiety that was present in everybody.. one guy fainted. Green as a leaf. Thankfully it became much more relaxed and jokey after the initial lesson.
We had ours (11 years ago now) at aged 13 in high school. It was an all boys school and I remember the trepidation and anxiety that was present in everybody.. one guy fainted. Green as a leaf. Thankfully it became much more relaxed and jokey after the initial lesson.
Elian T, Manchester
Elian T, Manchester
We had to watch a video with a naked family playing Frisbee on a beach. Indispensable stuff.Arbie, London
We had to watch a video with a naked family playing Frisbee on a beach. Indispensable stuff.Arbie, London
I still vividly remember our first biology lesson at secondary school. The (quite young female) teacher was talking about organisms, when one girl in the front row politely raised her hand and asked what the difference between an organism and an orgasm was! The teacher did very well to explain the difference in a very matter of fact way, even though she had gone a deep shade of red and had a few of us boys sniggering on the back row!Steve, London
I still vividly remember our first biology lesson at secondary school. The (quite young female) teacher was talking about organisms, when one girl in the front row politely raised her hand and asked what the difference between an organism and an orgasm was! The teacher did very well to explain the difference in a very matter of fact way, even though she had gone a deep shade of red and had a few of us boys sniggering on the back row!Steve, London
My abiding memories of sex education at 15 are 1) an animated drawing of female and male parts having sex (but in the style of our Biology text book drawings) and 2) a middle aged woman taking off her bathrobe to reveal her naked self. I'd say what I learned was that time catches up with us all!Beth, Edinburgh
My abiding memories of sex education at 15 are 1) an animated drawing of female and male parts having sex (but in the style of our Biology text book drawings) and 2) a middle aged woman taking off her bathrobe to reveal her naked self. I'd say what I learned was that time catches up with us all!Beth, Edinburgh
I'll never forget a very proud science teacher bring in his home made video of his wife giving birth. No private areas shown of course but it was still very surreal.Sara, Bristol
I'll never forget a very proud science teacher bring in his home made video of his wife giving birth. No private areas shown of course but it was still very surreal.Sara, Bristol
I'm not sure why exactly my rather stuffy girls boarding school bothered, to be honest- they waited until we were 18, and then showed us a video of a singing, dancing cartoon condom wearing a cape. To this day, the antics of Johnny Condom still get a laugh out of my classmates!Emiliy, London
I'm not sure why exactly my rather stuffy girls boarding school bothered, to be honest- they waited until we were 18, and then showed us a video of a singing, dancing cartoon condom wearing a cape. To this day, the antics of Johnny Condom still get a laugh out of my classmates!Emiliy, London
The Scottish guy video featured my friend's parents and her being born in the video. I don't know if anyone can top that for the most embarrassing sex education experience at schoolKira, Cambridge
The Scottish guy video featured my friend's parents and her being born in the video. I don't know if anyone can top that for the most embarrassing sex education experience at schoolKira, Cambridge
I had one (yes, only one) sex ed class in primary school where I vividly remember being shown a video where a man and a woman were walking along their hallway naked. All they did was walk and we all stared intently at their 'bits' with a mixture of fascination and embarrassment. Then when it came to explaining the exact mechanics of having sex, we were shown a cartoon with two creatures (who looked suspiciously like Moomin) on top of each other. To this day, I'm not sure what that taught us about what was to come later in life, but we did all get a good laugh. At the end of the lesson, the girls were given sample packs of sanitary towels and leaflets about puberty.Ally, Harlow, Essex, UK
I had one (yes, only one) sex ed class in primary school where I vividly remember being shown a video where a man and a woman were walking along their hallway naked. All they did was walk and we all stared intently at their 'bits' with a mixture of fascination and embarrassment. Then when it came to explaining the exact mechanics of having sex, we were shown a cartoon with two creatures (who looked suspiciously like Moomin) on top of each other. To this day, I'm not sure what that taught us about what was to come later in life, but we did all get a good laugh. At the end of the lesson, the girls were given sample packs of sanitary towels and leaflets about puberty.Ally, Harlow, Essex, UK
A PE teacher took our sex ed class, of which there was one. It was this - "Don't chuck it in her unless you're wearing a rubber. If she's been about, then be sure to double-bag." - direct quote.Robbie, Belfast
A PE teacher took our sex ed class, of which there was one. It was this - "Don't chuck it in her unless you're wearing a rubber. If she's been about, then be sure to double-bag." - direct quote.Robbie, Belfast
Sarah Kennedy narrating and 1970s school programmes telling you were now a man sexually as you had to start shaving! I remember it as I was the only kid in my year to pass out watching the "giving birth" programme!Jonathan, Gloucester
Sarah Kennedy narrating and 1970s school programmes telling you were now a man sexually as you had to start shaving! I remember it as I was the only kid in my year to pass out watching the "giving birth" programme!Jonathan, Gloucester
We watched a video made in Australia, on a budget of about 20p, it seemed. There were men dressed as sperm, swimming across a pool toward a fat woman floating on a giant rubber ring, singing "one day my sperm will come" to the tune of the famous Disney song. I'm not sure if it was educational or not, but I'll never forget it.Charlotte, Surrey
We watched a video made in Australia, on a budget of about 20p, it seemed. There were men dressed as sperm, swimming across a pool toward a fat woman floating on a giant rubber ring, singing "one day my sperm will come" to the tune of the famous Disney song. I'm not sure if it was educational or not, but I'll never forget it.Charlotte, Surrey
I remember having a film about periods - the curtains in the hall were closed, the glass bits in the doors covered up and a very embarrassed male headmaster mumbling something, putting on the film and walking out - that was the sum total of my sex education - just about periods!Theresa Murray, Reading
I remember having a film about periods - the curtains in the hall were closed, the glass bits in the doors covered up and a very embarrassed male headmaster mumbling something, putting on the film and walking out. That was the sum total of my sex education - just about periods!Theresa Murray, Reading
