Hedges is appalled by the poor quality of the sex education 5C is receiving. Price has been using rabbits to explain the subject, leaving the class either ignorant or indifferent. Frankie is among the former; his mother has told him that the sex act involves the belly button ( navel ).
The teacher resolves to tell Frankie the truth, but Cromwell threatens to suspend him. After much wrestling with his conscience, Hedges does so.
Cromwell tries to carry out his threat, but finds himself up against the rest of the teachers, including - surprisingly - Doris Ewell...
I do not recall sex education classes taking place at my local school, if there were any, I could not have been there that day. It was a touchy subject, with some schools adopting a Victorian moralistic stance akin to Cromwell's.
This is one of John Alderton's best performances as Hedges, as it brings him into conflict with the school system. While not actually losing his temper, he is plainly horrified at Price's primitive teaching methods. Episodes like this were never attempted again after Alderton's departure, which possibly explains why the show was cancelled when it was.
Funniest moment - Potter stripping wallpaper from what he believes to be Hedges' new flat. Actually, it isn't, and everyone else is next door!
The teacher resolves to tell Frankie the truth, but Cromwell threatens to suspend him. After much wrestling with his conscience, Hedges does so.
Cromwell tries to carry out his threat, but finds himself up against the rest of the teachers, including - surprisingly - Doris Ewell...
I do not recall sex education classes taking place at my local school, if there were any, I could not have been there that day. It was a touchy subject, with some schools adopting a Victorian moralistic stance akin to Cromwell's.
This is one of John Alderton's best performances as Hedges, as it brings him into conflict with the school system. While not actually losing his temper, he is plainly horrified at Price's primitive teaching methods. Episodes like this were never attempted again after Alderton's departure, which possibly explains why the show was cancelled when it was.
Funniest moment - Potter stripping wallpaper from what he believes to be Hedges' new flat. Actually, it isn't, and everyone else is next door!