External providers' sexuality education teaching and pedagogies for primary school students in Grade 1 to Grade 7

Primary schools and the delivery of relationships and sexuality education: the experience of Queensland teachers

“…External providers felt it was more challenging to establish a relationship with this age level, but the willingness and ability of the classroom teacher to revise and extend the work aided in the continuity and consistency of delivery and promoted knowledge retention, reflection and behavioural skills. The findings of Goldman's (2011) study support the infrequent and inconsistent manner in which RSE is delivered by external providers to schools, often once per year. This approach 'is inadequate to provide a comprehensive and quality sexuality education at all grades of primary school' (Goldman 2011, 155).…”

“…Johnson et al specific, rely on novel resources and involve professionals with limited knowledge of the school programme, students or community' (McCuaig 2005, 67). Goldman (2011) found external providers were most often asked to work with students in the upper primary year levels, with students aged between 10 and 11 years. External providers felt it was more challenging to establish a relationship with this age level, but the willingness and ability of the classroom teacher to revise and extend the work aided in the continuity and consistency of delivery and promoted knowledge retention, reflection and behavioural skills.…”

“…In particular, teachers voice uncertainty regarding how far they should go with particular topics and concern about the potential consequences for 'getting it wrong'. This lack of confidence is emphasised widely in the literature as a major barrier to the delivery of RSE in schools (see Harrison and Hillier 1999;Leahy, Horne, and Harrison 2004;Goldman 2011). Ollis, Harrison, and Richardson (2012) acknowledge the need for RSE curriculum documents to provide greater guidance on topic selection and the depth to which topics should be explored with primary school students.…”

Primary school puberty/sexuality education: student-teachers' past learning, present professional education, and intention to teach these subjects

“…Students nominate school programmes as one of their best-trusted sources (Halstead and Reiss 2003;Smith et al 2011;SIECCAN 2009), yet few countries include puberty/sexuality education in their compulsory curricula for primary or secondary school (see Goldman 2012;Formby 2011;Lloyd 2010). In the absence of volunteer teachers, many Australian primary schools employ external providers to fulfil curriculum requirements (Goldman 2011).…”

The inclusion of open-ended questions on quantitative surveys of children: Dealing with unanticipated responses relating to child abuse and neglect

“…On a more promising note, it is clear that the issue of child abuse is being addressed by many primary schools in the UK and elsewhere across the world (Baker, Gleason, Naai1, Mitchell, & Trecker, 2012;BBC, 2013;Goldman, 2011; Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2012; Stephenson, McElearney, & Stead, 2011). Research from these authors indicates that this is being done using a variety of approaches including through curriculum activities, assemblies and presentations by external organisations.…”