The Department for Education (DfE) today launched a call for evidence seeking views on how to update the guidance so that it covers lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues and online risks to children such as sexting and cyberbullying, neither of which are currently mentioned in the guidance.
The guidance has not changed since the year 2000 when the now-abolished Section 28, which prohibited local authorities from "promoting" homosexuality, was still in place. Compulsory sex and relationships education are due to be introduced in all secondary schools, and relationships education in all primaries, from 2019.
"It is unacceptable that relationships and sex education guidance has not been updated for almost 20 years especially given the online risks, such as sexting and cyber bullying, our children and young people face," said education secretary Justine Greening.
"Young people must have an education that teaches them the importance of healthy and stable relationships."
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