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Sexuality education in The United Kingdom

SHAPE classifies the sexuality education framework in the United Kingdom as progressive. This describes the national policy framework, not how every school delivers it.

Progressive framework

Last checked 02/11/2026 · This is information only, not advice or a recommendation.

  • National framework: Education policy is devolved. England has statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate statutory or curricular frameworks with different content and opt-out rules.
  • Interpretation: The status summarizes the verified policy framework; it does not guarantee uniform classroom delivery.

[Sources: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education/relationships-and-sex-education-rse-secondary ; https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/peer ; https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/comprehensive-sexuality-education ; https://www.bzga-whocc.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente/BZgA_IPPFEN_ComprehensiveStudyReport_Online.pdf]

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Based on public, cited sources and SHAPE's review. Rules and prices change, so please confirm with the national authority or a professional. Found an error? Tell us.