They were due to be given six condoms each and some lubricant, but headteacher Jim Toal stepped in to prevent them being handed out saying he feared it was: "Promoting sex rather than encouraging safe sex."

One mum said her daughter had been told they were not allowed them, without any conversation with parents or a letter sent home asking for their views.

She thinks parents should have been consulted and said: "Personally I think it's disgusting they were not allowed them at 16-years-of-age. It is promoting unsafe sex."

The woman said in the past parents had been consulted on whether they wanted their children to see sex education films, if they were considered controversial.

She added: "I think the parents should have made that decision (on whether the pupils were given condoms) as well."

The mum believes it was also a suitable time of year for the initiative with many 16, 17 and 18-year-olds about to attend Christmas parties.
Welshpool High School headteacher Mr Toal said he had received no complaints from parents about his decision.

He added: "The decision was made in accordance with the school's sex education policy which, like all other school policies, was ratified by the governing body.

"Other than this, I have no further comment to make on the matter."
HIV and AIDS charity the Terrence Higgins Trust disagrees with Welshpool High School's decision.

National manager for the charity in Wales, Rob John said: "It is really difficult to see how something can promote sex. It promotes itself – it is part of life.

Mr John said he did not think giving out condoms would force pupils into thinking "they have to have sex" and added: "If they took condoms and lubricant into a school staff room would the teachers then all have sex.
"If you are giving out condoms it means they will be safe if they do have sex. Young people need facts but also the means."
Mr John believes although there is good guidance on sex education for schools in Wales, the subject should be made part of the curriculum to ensure a more uniform approach.

"At the moment it is up to each school to make its own policy and its policy can be that it doesn't have any sex education.
"It needs to be on the curriculum so that people know what the standard should be in each school."

A spokesman for the Family Planning Association (FPA) said it also supports safe sex awareness initiatives involving the handing out of contraceptives.

He said the FPA does not believe giving out condoms "promotes sex" and said research has shown good sex education can delay, rather than speed up, the time at which young people first have sexual intercourse.

What do you think? Add a comment below, or write to the County Times, 11c Broad Street, Welshpool, SY21 7LE.