Primary school headteacher quits after graphic sex education class to Year 6 pupils

Illawong Public School in Sydney, Australia, has come under fire after traumatised kids went home to their parents and told them about a graphic sex education class

A primary school headteacher has been forced to step down after kids were left "distressed" by a graphic sex education class.

Parents of Year 6 students slammed Illawong Public School in Sydney, Australia after their children received a sex education class without their consent. Pupils claim they were asked to write down questions, which were read out and answered by a member of staff in front of them on November 7.

Shocked families complained after their kids were "troubled" by the class, where some of the questions were about a pornographic website and sexual content. In response, they were told that they had given their consent through another independently run program at the school.

The school reportedly set up the class to discuss issues in a safe space with children, to put a stop to inappropriate discussions in the playground. One guardian told the Daily Telegraph, that they “did not give consent for this discussion and it was simply inappropriate.”

They said parents were left furious and added: "Parents are really angry and also angry at the responses from the school. These topics are not in the school syllabus.” A NSW Education Department spokesperson said they expected their staff to conduct age-appropriate education.

They confirmed an investigation is underway. A spokesperson said: “We take the health, safety and wellbeing of our students very seriously. We apologise to the school community for the distress to their children.”

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos commented: "I was getting detailed emails from parents telling me how troubled and distressed they were to realise some of their very shy children, who have no access to social media, were exposed to these types of discussions."

She added: "The most concerning thing was while the department reported counselling was available to students at the school, parents said it was only offered to a select number of students. I am still receiving emails from parents telling me that they are not getting any information about their children’s wellbeing and what has happened at that school."

Education Minister Prue Car condemned what happened and said in a statement: “The [staff member] has been stood aside, the activities are subject to an investigation by the Department of Education’s professional ethical standards unit. That is very serious and I will let that investigation take place."