Progressing with Policy in Relationships and Sex Education: Our Updated ‘Wise in 5’

By Lucy Adams and Dewi Knight

Today, PolicyWISE has published an updated WISE in 5 briefing on Relationships and Sex Education (RSE).

RSE policy changes, with national differences, are expected across the school systems of the UK and Ireland in coming months. We have updated our original 2023 briefing to highlight and anticipate these, as well as recommendations and research for policymakers.

With fast-evolving technology, attitudes, and terminology, it can be difficult for decision makers to keep education policy moving at the same pace. It is especially challenging in areas that can prove to be controversial, such as Relationships and Sex education.

Whilst RSE is a statutory requirement across all nations of the UK and Ireland, approaches vary on the appropriate age for instruction, content, and parental rights in this area. The following overview is a snapshot of what RSE policy currently looks like in each nation.

RSE Policy Across Nations

Scotland: There has not yet been a government report following the 2023 consultation on new draft guidance for Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood education. The draft guidance had suggested embedding LGBTQ+, beliefs and gender inclusivity in wider education content, and ways to support teachers in doing so.

England: We are expecting a report from the Department for Education, detailing the results of an 8-week public consultation on new RSE guidance. The guidance was drafted under the previous government and re-defined the appropriate teaching age for certain content, such as gender identity. It came after allegations that children were being taught inappropriately and with “disturbing materials”. The new Education Secretary expressed in September 2024 that all children should have the right to RSE lessons.

Northern Ireland: The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland)(Amendment) Regulations 2023 were introduced at the end of last year, updating the curriculum and offering parents the statutory right to withdraw pupils from RSE. New guidance was published in January 2024 to support schools enacting these regulations, and the relevant Assembly committee has recently conducted a mini-inquiry into the subject.

Republic of Ireland: Since September 2024, new RSE curriculum expectations are in place, which separate content for older and first-year secondary school students. The guidelines encourage subjects like LGBTQ+, relationships and families to be integrated throughout the curriculum for older students. Changes to the primary school curriculum are yet to be finalised.

Wales: Since introducing the new Curriculum for Wales in 2022, it is the only nation from the UK and Ireland where there is no statutory parental right to withdraw pupils from RSE lessons. These changes also saw the subject title evolve and is now named, “relationships and sexuality education”.

Overall, nations have expanded the content of RSE curriculums in recent years to include subjects like gender identity, sexuality, power imbalances in relationships and beliefs. However, there is variation in how and when these subjects are taught.

Some nations encourage an integrated approach to RSE teaching, whilst others find value in stand-alone lessons. Across systems there have been efforts to consider which content is appropriate and at what ages, but various positions are held on what those age categories are, what language and terminology is used for each subject, and who has the right to opt-out of RSE lessons.

 

The briefing concludes with 5 policy points to takeaway:

  1. Naming and titling of the subject differs across nations, with implications that should be considered carefully in decision-making.

 

  1. RSE has implications for attitudes in related areas, particularly violence against women and girls. Digital literacy and staying safe online might be a key consideration for this.

 

  1. According to recent research, children and young people feel RSE lacks content on subjects like LGBTQ+ and power imbalances in relationships.

 

  1. RSE is often subject to misinformation, so clear and timely information is key.

 

  1. Terminology can change rapidly – evolving attitude, law and technology changes mean education staff must be supported to engage with parents and students effectively.

 

As further changes take place, policymakers are encouraged to consider the implications of evolving attitudes, technology and child concerns on appropriate subject matter and teaching approaches in RSE.

 

PolicyWISE will continue to track changes in this area of public policy. If you have any questions and you would like to get in touch, you can find out more information by contacting us at: policywise@open.ac.uk