Education about some aspects of sex, such as the dangers of pornography, for teenagers over the age of consent in particular, could well be served by external speakers – medical professionals for preference – better than teachers, since the former could answer children’s difficult questions without the need for the children to see those same adults on a day-to-day basis in other capacities.

However, the idea that such topics as “rimming and bondage”, or masturbation, could be introduced by one’s form tutor – as RSE often is in schools – could cause teachers embarrassment (is that really just “squeamishness”?). Of course, this could be an argument for getting specially trained sex ed teachers – in an ideal world, where schools were also able to provide other things, like basic English and maths education.

And whether all forms of sexual pleasure and sexuality ought to be expounded at school level, as Tatchell suggests, is far from clear. Or whether schools ought to take on the responsibility for “advice on how to achieve mutually fulfilling, high-quality sex, including the emotional and erotic value of foreplay…”. This sounds utopian – or dystopian. I see a minefield of litigation ahead, with teachers becoming obvious targets of accusations of sexual predation for teaching about things in the “wrong” way.

Moreover, sexual identities that may be popular from one age to another are nebulous and controversial – as well as, often, political. Contrary to the view of Stonewall and similar campaigning organisations, it is surely not appropriate for teachers to take a political position on identities.

Quite apart from conceptual difficulties. Is “pansexuality” really any more coherent than panpsychism? And how will such ideas be taught – as hypotheses, or doctrines? Are you going to teach them that it is, as a matter of fact, possible for a girl to change into a boy? That Islam and Catholicism believe that being gay is a sin? Where do you draw the line – and who is going to have the power to draw it?

Clearly sex education needs to be reformed. One thing sadly absent from this article is any mention of the role of parents, especially with younger children. Children also need to be introduced to relevant and trustworthy resources, such as books and reputable internet sites.