A third of secondary schools in England still lack good quality sex and relationships education, leaving many teenagers without the skills to navigate sexual health and alcohol risks. This research set out to identify what makes school-based sex education programmes effective, acceptable, and sustainable—and what stops them from working. The problem is that provision is patchy. While sex and relationship education is seen as vital for improving young people’s sexual health, there has been little clear guidance on what actually works in practice. The researchers combined five linked studies—including interviews with local authority professionals, a synthesis of young people’s views, case studies of three programmes, and analysis of national survey data—to build a coherent picture. The team developed a set of criteria for best practice in sex and relationship education. These criteria give practitioners clear, evidence-based guidance for designing new programmes, and provide a foundation for policymakers as they consult on making sex education statutory. The research also shows that excellent sex education is deliverable in practice, not just in theory. If adopted widely, these criteria could help standardise provision, reduce risky sexual behaviour and alcohol misuse, and improve sexual health outcomes for young people across the UK.
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Sex and relationship education (SRE) is seen as vital for improving young people’s sexual health but a third of schools in England lack good quality SRE and provision is patchy. Researchers at SPHR aimed to identify what makes SRE programmes effective, acceptable, sustainable and capable of being faithfully implemented. Researchers conducted and brought together the findings from five separate but linked research projects: Telephone interviews with SRE professionals in English local authorities to investigate best practice in SRE. A synthesis of qualitative studies of young people’s views of their SRE. A case study investigation of three different SRE programmes in England. Exploration of data from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 3). A review of systematic reviews of the effectiveness of alcohol and sexual health education. The research team presented their findings to three groups of young people and one group of SRE experts for their feedback. Researchers found that school-based SRE and school-linked sexual health services can be an effective way to improve sexual health. Professional believe good programmes start in primary school. Professionals and young people agreed that good programmes are age-appropriate, interactive and take place in a safe environment. Some young women reported preferring single-sex classes but young men appeared to want mixed classes. Young people and professionals agreed that SRE should teach ‘life skills’ and not focus on abstinence. Young people advocated an approach that was positive about sex but reported this was lacking. Young people and professionals agreed that SRE should discuss risks, but young people felt such discussions should avoid being too negative. Professionals felt teachers should be involved in SRE delivery but many young people reported discomfort at having their teachers deliver SRE. Researchers considered the evidence and identified key features of effective and acceptable SRE, leading to the development of criteria for best practice in SRE. This criteria provides clear guidance for practitioners to use when developing new programmes and for policy makers to draw upon in forthcoming consultations about statutory SRE. Our in-depth study illustrates that it is possible to deliver excellent SRE and demonstrates how this works in practice.
NIHR School for Public Health Research - Public Health
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