Barry Comprehensive School

Back to News Index

PSE has taken on a new slant at Barry Comprehensive School with the sixth form students taking on the role of teachers! And the sensitive issue of sexual health didn’t faze our three novices, Ryan Lloyd, James Matthais and Carise Roberts, as all three tackled the subject with creativity and flair. But they weren’t quite on their own…. Dr. Christian Jesson, of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies series, came down from London to film for a new series of the show, specifically focusing on teenagers.

The three sixth-formers all had different reasons for ‘volunteering’ for the challenge: Ryan is pursuing a career in Drama, James is a keen Media student and interested in the whole make-up of a programme, whilst Carise has teaching aspirations.

Ryan, James and Carise were set a challenge by Dr. Jesson: plan a lesson, choosing six resources from a ‘colourful collection’ put together from the Channel 4 research team. The second part of the challenge was to deliver the lesson to a large group of lively 14 year olds! Many teachers would have been heading for the door at this point but the sixth formers set to work. The first issue was getting the right resources for the target audience.

After much careful deliberation, and not too much bickering, the three agreed on resources which included: ‘Jelly Bellies, ‘a ‘ready or not tot’, a wide range of contraception and a six foot inflatable replica of female genitalia! Whilst this was going on, Dr. Jesson was engaged in ‘man-to-man’ talks with year 10; lots of laughter was heard, so we assume they all had great fun dispelling some sexual myths.

Time ticked away and the lesson was ready. Carise had suggested a workshop environment which the year 10 boys could carousel around: this meant pupils had lots of time and were in small groups. Year 10 pupils were able to handle the resources, climb inside some of them, and had plenty of time to discuss a range of issues. Most teachers would agree that, in general, pupils are not forward in ‘coming forward’ in praise of lessons, but year 10 were unanimous in their praise of their sixth form ‘teachers’ – 100% of pupils found the lesson enjoyable and informative. It seems that peer teaching is the way forward.

Barry Comprehensive School would like to thank Channel 4 for featuring the school in their new series, to be aired some time in late October. We would also like to thank Jill Joyce of ‘Flying Start’ who loaned the school ‘Jelly Bellies’ and Carol Mayer, PSE Co-ordinator for the Vale who contributed the ‘Ready–or-not Tots’ for the day.

Photos:

1. Dr Jesson joins the year 10 and sixth form students for a group photo
2. Dr Jesson addresses the students
3. Dr Jesson meeting the students
4. Filming the introductory talk
5. James, Ryan and Carise and Dr Jesson open the box of resources
6. James. Carise and Ryan choosing resources for their lesson
7. The jelly bellies being put to good use
8. Filming outside for the 'man-to-man' talk

AC 2008-09-15