Bridgend Council says pupils were never taught it was okay to choke during sex

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVE have intensified pressure on Bridgend County Borough Council over reports that pupils were taught about “sexual choking” during PSHE lessons—despite the council’s insistence that the claims are based on outdated and inaccurate materials.

Shadow Education Cabinet Secretary Natasha Asghar MS has now written to the leader of the council requesting copies of both the original and updated versions of a PowerPoint presentation developed by domestic abuse charity ASSIA, which was used during a single session in one Bridgend school in 2024.

Ms Asghar said: “I remain appalled that anyone involved in educating our children would consider including references to such a dangerous and risky act in educational materials.

“There appears to have been no attempt to explain the risks associated with choking, but merely a focus on ensuring the act is consensual. The leadership of Bridgend Council claims they requested that this presentation be altered before being shown to pupils. However, this does not disguise the fact that those responsible for creating the content initially deemed it appropriate.

“I am requesting both versions of the presentation be made available to me, and I am calling on Bridgend Council to reconsider their relationship with ASSIA. It is clear that by even considering the inclusion of such shocking content, their values do not align with what most decent people would reasonably expect to be taught in our schools.”

Council: Claims based on misinformation

Bridgend County Borough Council has pushed back strongly against what it calls “a classic example of how misinformation can generate headlines.” It insists that pupils were not taught to accept dangerous or illegal sexual behaviour.

The council says the slide that referenced choking with consent was part of a draft presentation that was never shown in schools. That content, they say, was deleted or corrected prior to delivery, and the final version made it clear that non-fatal strangulation is a criminal offence under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Developed in response to real questions from older pupils, the presentation was intended to support teachers navigating complex topics around consent and harmful behaviour. The final version was vetted before being offered to schools as part of a pastoral programme. Only one school accepted the offer, and the material was delivered to an audience of 15–17 year olds in October 2024.

Councillor Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, said: “The suggestion that older pupils have been taught to consent to damaging sexual behaviour is simply not true. All pastoral advice used by local schools is carefully designed to be age-appropriate, and to encourage teenagers who are maturing into young adults to develop healthy, respectful relationships where there is no abuse of any kind.”

Cllr Jones added that the original draft may have been shared with the media by someone acting in good faith but who misunderstood the situation.

“It appears that inaccurate information from a draft version of a presentation was shared with the media by individuals who had the best of intentions as they thought it had already been used in classrooms. However, the truth of the matter is that the slides in question had been deleted and updated long before the final version of the presentation was ever delivered,” he said.

The council reiterated its commitment to safeguarding and said it monitors all educational materials used with children and young people to ensure they remain appropriate and compliant with legislation.

Next steps

Ms Asghar has also written to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Education, calling for a broader review into how topics such as pornography and violent sexual behaviours are addressed in schools across Wales.

Bridgend Council has yet to confirm whether it will release the full versions of the presentation as requested.

WITH the summer holidays on the horizon, the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven is once again preparing to open its doors for a season of creativity, performance and fun.

Whether you’re planning an exotic getaway or opting for a staycation closer to home, the Torch’s popular Summer Schools promise to fill August with exciting activities and memories to last a lifetime.

Over the years, the Torch Theatre has earned a strong reputation for delivering high-quality summer programmes for children and young people. Now, with the addition of an adult summer school, the Torch is proud to offer something for everyone aged seven and over.

“Come and join our fun-packed creative sessions, which include performing in our studio theatre for family and friends,” said Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch. “We’ve got opportunities for adults and children to get inspired and express themselves artistically. With storytelling adventures, plays produced in a week, and workshops on writing, directing and performance, we know there’s something for everyone.”

Mr Howe added: “Led by professionals with international experience and top drama school training, our summer schools are open to all. There’s no audition, and no previous experience is needed. We’re committed to inclusivity and will make reasonable adjustments so that everyone can enjoy a fulfilling experience.”

The Torch Summer Schools 2025:

Dramatic Detectives
For Year 3 to Year 6 (ages 7–11)
A series of mysterious crimes has rocked the land of make-believe. But what happened, who’s responsible, and can it be stopped in time? Through creative play and storytelling, children will work together to crack the case.
Sessions run daily from 10:00am to 3:00pm, Monday 4 to Friday 8 August.

Playmakers
For Year 7 to Year 13 (ages 11–18)
Take on the exciting challenge of learning and performing a contemporary play in just one week. Participants will get involved in every aspect of the production – from casting and costumes to props and music.
Sessions run from 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday 11 to Friday 15 August.

Show Off!
Ages 18+
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, the adult summer school offers a supportive environment to explore writing, performance and direction. The programme concludes with a showcase performance in the studio theatre.
Evening sessions run from 6:30pm to 9:00pm on Thursdays 7, 14, 21 and 28 August, with a final performance on Saturday 30 August.

Tim concluded: “Our Summer Schools are always incredibly popular, so early booking is recommended. You can find more information and book your place at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call our friendly Box Office team on 01646 695267.”

What are you waiting for? Try something new this summer – and make the Torch Theatre part of your August adventure.

FREE breakfasts have been available in Welsh primary schools since 2004 — and now more than 700 primary schools in England are following suit, thanks to a bold new initiative from the UK Labour Government.

The scheme is expected to reach an initial 180,000 pupils, with over a third of participating schools located in areas of high deprivation. It represents a significant step forward in tackling child hunger and educational inequality.

The policy mirrors the successful approach pioneered in Wales, where an estimated 100 million free breakfasts have been served in the last decade alone. Take-up continues to grow, and the Welsh Labour Government is working with councils to increase participation even further.

“This is a fantastic example of the UK Labour Government learning from Welsh Labour successes. It’s Wales leading the way,” a spokesperson said.

The new initiative honours a key pledge made in Labour’s election manifesto and reaffirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her first party conference speech. The aim is simple: to ensure that no child starts the school day on an empty stomach.

A healthy meal in the morning not only improves concentration and wellbeing but also helps pupils achieve their full potential in the classroom.

England’s rollout builds on more than two decades of experience in Wales — experience that offers valuable insight into managing costs, designing nutritious menus, and monitoring outcomes.

Meanwhile, the Welsh Government will also benefit by gaining access to data from England’s larger school population, allowing it to further strengthen its own programme.

This move comes alongside the successful rollout of universal free school meals for primary pupils in Wales, first announced in 2021. Over 30 million additional meals have been served under that scheme so far.

“This is what two Labour Governments can achieve together — in Wales and Westminster — sharing ideas, expertise and a common goal: to invest in public services and give every child the best possible start to the day.”

From breakfast clubs to steel transition boards, freeports, investment zones, and growth deals, the message is clear — when Labour governments work together, Wales benefits.