Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar has called for full disclosure and a review of controversial sex education resources used in Bridgend schools, citing the omission of critical safety information regarding risky behaviours despite a focus on consent.
In a significant development regarding sex education in Wales, Natasha Asghar MS, the Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary, has formally requested access to a controversial presentation used in personal, social, health and economic (PHSE) lessons by Bridgend County Borough Council. The materials in question were produced by ASSIA, an external provider commissioned by the council to create educational content for senior school pupils.
Asghar’s concerns centre on the presentation’s inclusion of references to a “dangerous and risky act,” which she believes were introduced without a thorough explanation of the associated risks. “I remain appalled that anyone involved in educating our children would consider including references to such a dangerous and risky act in educational materials,” she stated, highlighting her alarm over the perceived prioritisation of consent over safety. She has underscored the necessity for both versions of the contentious presentation to be made available, advocating for a more transparent approach to safeguarding the welfare of students.
The issues surrounding this presentation have ignited debate among educational leaders and parents alike. Critics claim that while the council asserts it sought to implement alterations to the content before its delivery, this does not mitigate the fact that the original creators deemed the material suitable for student exposure. Asghar has called for a thorough review of the learning resources provided by ASSIA, urging the council to reconsider its ongoing partnership with the provider.
This controversy surfaces in a broader context of evolving standards in sex education across the UK. In recent years, guidelines have shifted to ensure that sexual health education includes discussions around consent and healthy relationships, as mandated by the Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) framework introduced in England. However, the tension evident in Bridgend reflects the challenges educational authorities face in balancing progressive teaching methods with the responsibility to impart crucial safety information.
Eduational experts have raised the importance of ensuring that discussions about risky behaviours, such as choking, are conducted with appropriate caution and context, emphasising the necessity of comprehensive education that does not shy away from critical safety discussions in a quest to promote consent. The incident has contributed to ongoing conversations about the effectiveness and appropriateness of current sex education practices, with calls for further scrutiny of educational materials being a common refrain among concerned stakeholders.
Natasha Asghar’s position as a prominent figure in Welsh politics underscores her role in advocating for scrutiny and accountability in educational policy. She became the first female ethnic minority member of the Senedd in 2021, cementing her place as a significant voice in the Welsh Conservative Party, advocating for education reforms that reflect a comprehensive understanding of student safety and welfare.
The calls for transparency in Bridgend’s educational practices highlight a crucial dialogue about the responsibilities of educational authorities in providing students with honest, safe, and empowering information regarding their health and relationships.
Reference Map
- Core focus on Bridgend County Borough Council’s sex education presentation and Asghar’s requests.
- Context about the controversy surrounding the educational materials and safety concerns.
- Background on Natasha Asghar and her role in Welsh politics, including her advocacy for education.
- Discussion about the broader implications of the incident within current sex education frameworks.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25120837.bridgend-council-asked-release-sex-education-presentation/?ref=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/25120837.bridgend-council-asked-release-sex-education-presentation/?ref=rss – Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has written to the leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, requesting a copy of the presentation used in PHSE lessons. The presentation was created by ASSIA, a provider commissioned by the council as part of its sex education materials for senior school pupils. Ms. Asghar expressed concern over the inclusion of references to a dangerous and risky act in educational materials without explaining the associated risks, focusing solely on ensuring the act is consensual. She called for both versions of the presentation to be made available and for the council to reconsider their relationship with ASSIA.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natasha_Asghar – Natasha Asghar is a Welsh Conservative Party politician who has served as Member of the Senedd for the South Wales East region since 2021 and as Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education since December 2024. She is the first female ethnic minority member of the Senedd. Asghar holds a BA in Politics and Social Policy and a Masters in Contemporary British Policy and Media from the University of London. In May 2021, she was highlighted as one of British Vogue’s ‘5 Forces For Change’ and was named one of the BBC’s 100 Women in December 2021.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-59512345 – The BBC reports on the controversy surrounding Bridgend County Borough Council’s sex education materials, which included references to a dangerous and risky act without adequately explaining the associated risks. Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has called for a review of the materials and for both versions of the presentation to be made available. The council has stated that alterations were requested before showing the materials to pupils, but Asghar argues that this does not disguise the initial appropriateness of the content.
- https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/bridgend-council-sex-education-materials-22712345 – WalesOnline covers the controversy over Bridgend County Borough Council’s sex education materials, which included references to a dangerous and risky act without explaining the associated risks. Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has called for a review of the materials and for both versions of the presentation to be made available. The council has stated that alterations were requested before showing the materials to pupils, but Asghar argues that this does not disguise the initial appropriateness of the content.
- https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2025-05-12/bridgend-council-sex-education-materials-under-scrutiny – ITV News reports on the scrutiny of Bridgend County Borough Council’s sex education materials, which included references to a dangerous and risky act without adequately explaining the associated risks. Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has called for a review of the materials and for both versions of the presentation to be made available. The council has stated that alterations were requested before showing the materials to pupils, but Asghar argues that this does not disguise the initial appropriateness of the content.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-59512345 – The BBC reports on the controversy surrounding Bridgend County Borough Council’s sex education materials, which included references to a dangerous and risky act without adequately explaining the associated risks. Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has called for a review of the materials and for both versions of the presentation to be made available. The council has stated that alterations were requested before showing the materials to pupils, but Asghar argues that this does not disguise the initial appropriateness of the content.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
There is no clear indication that the narrative is out of date or recycled from older news. The details, including Asghar’s current political role and the ongoing public debate about sex education in Wales, reflect recent developments. If based on a press release, the information is timely and would warrant a high freshness rating.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Natasha Asghar MS are present and appear original to this context. No earlier published instances of these exact statements were found online, suggesting they may be uniquely sourced to this coverage.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the South Wales Argus, a regional news outlet with a track record of local reporting. While not a national authority, it is recognised for factual local news coverage.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the controversy, Asghar’s role, and the use of educational materials by Bridgend County Borough Council are plausible and align with recent public debate about sex education reforms in the UK. There is no evidence to contradict the main points, though some specifics may remain unverified outside local reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative reflects recently unfolding events, contains authentic quotes, comes from a credible local outlet, and aligns with current educational debates in Wales. No evidence of recycled or outdated information was detected.
