RSHE and RSE: What do children learn in sex education?
- Published
English schools should not teach under-nines about sex, or discuss gender identity, under new draft guidance from the government.
Some MPs and parents have voiced concerns about "inappropriate" content, but teaching unions say there is not a widespread problem.
How is sex education taught in schools?
Sex education is part of RSHE, which stands for relationships, sex and health education.
It is mandatory for RSHE to be taught in all secondary schools in England.
Primary schools must cover relationships and health education, but can choose whether or not to cover sex education.
The religious background of all pupils must be taken into account, to ensure that topics are appropriately handled.
Why is RSHE controversial?
One of the biggest issues is whether schools overstep boundaries and whether lessons are age-appropriate.
There were protests across England in 2019, after the government said teaching about relationships and LGBT equality would become compulsory.
In 2023, protesters outside a school in Manchester said children were being sexualised, and called for LGBT material to be withdrawn.
More than 50 Conservative MPs wrote to the prime minister in 2023, claiming children were "being indoctrinated with radical and unevidenced ideologies about sex and gender".
The MP behind the letter, Miriam Cates, called on Rishi Sunak to commission an independent inquiry.
MP Miriam Cates says children are being "indoctrinated" in sex education lessons
In response, the prime minister brought forward a planned review of RSHE guidance.
However, the head teachers' union, NAHT, said there was no evidence of age-inappropriate content being a widespread problem.
What does the new RSHE guidance say?
The draft guidance, external for English schools sets out detailed age limits about when children can be taught RSHE topics.
It says secondary-school pupils will learn about protected characteristics, such as sexual orientation and gender reassignment.
But schools should not teach about the "highly contested" concept of gender identity.
In primary school:
puberty and facts about the menstrual cycle shouldn't be taught before year 4
sex education shouldn't be taught before year 5 (when children learn about conception and birth in science)
In secondary school:
issues regarding sexual harassment, pornography, so-called "upskirting" and taking/sharing intimate sexual photographs without consent shouldn't be taught before year 7
explicit discussion of sexual violence, including rape and sexual assault, should not take place before year 9
Schools should have a clear policy for teachers to follow if they are asked questions about content restricted to older children.
This may include asking a pupil to speak to their parents, or highlighting support services.
The guidance also includes advice for teachers about how to address miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
The draft guidance is subject to a nine-week consultation, external.
Once finalised, schools will be expected to follow it.
What are children currently taught in RSHE?
Throughout primary school, children are taught about healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships - including online and social media.
Children also learn about physical health, parts of the body, boundaries and puberty.
The government strongly encourages schools to include teaching about different types of family and same-sex relationships.
At secondary school, relationships and sex education covers content on a wider range of key topics.
This includes sex, sexual relationships, consent, online abuse, domestic abuse and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Can parents see what's taught in RSHE?
Yes. In October 2023, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan reminded schools in England their duty to share RSHE materials with parents when asked.
This came after a tribunal declined a parent's request, external to see material from an external RSHE provider called the School of Sexuality.
Can parents remove their child from RSHE classes?
In some cases, yes.
Parents have a right to remove their child from some sex education lessons, but not from relationships education.
They can speak to the school about concerns, but do not have a right to change parts of the curriculum with which they disagree.
How is RSHE and RSE taught in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland?
Northern Ireland
Relationships and sexuality education (RSE) is mandatory for all pupils. Each school develops its own RSE policy in line with the school's ethos.
In secondary schools, a parent can remove a pupil from sessions covering sexual health and the prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.
Other RSE lessons are mandatory.
Wales
RSE has been a mandatory part of the curriculum since 2022.
Guidance to schools sets out which "developmentally-appropriate" topics should be covered from age three to 16.
A legal challenge to RSE by a group of parents was rejected in the High Court in 2022.
Scotland
Local authorities are responsible for the delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood (RSHP) education in schools.
Parents and carers are allowed to to view key teaching materials, and can withdraw their children from the sexual health elements of RSHP education.
The Scottish government is in the process of finalising updated guidance, after a public consultation in 2023.