Sex education in schools over the last century has struggled to reflect the real experiences of young people.

Pre-1950
Before the Second World War, children were taught about 'hygiene', 'modesty' and 'self control'. Post-war education improved slightly, aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

1950s/1960s
Pupils taught about reproduction in plants and animals and, if lucky, humans, in biology classes.

1970s/1980s
More information given on reproduction, including contraception. Some schools tried to cover personal relationships, but most children still received very little sex education.

1988
National Curriculum made it compulsory for schools to cover human reproduction within Science. Other SRE topics not compulsory.

1996
The Education Act stated that sex education should inform pupils about STIs and HIV and 'encourage pupils to have due regard to moral considerations and family life'. Parents retained the right to withdraw children from non-compulsory lessons, taught within PSHE.

2000
DfES produced guidance on themes that should be covered. SRE should 'support young people through their physical emotional and moral development' and must ensure that pupils 'learn about the nature of marriage and its importance for family life and the raising of children' (see Find out more for details).

2005
More guidance for schools produced by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (see Find out more for details).

2006
The Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy and the Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV continue to recommend that PSHE be made a statutory foundation subject at all Key Stages. To date, the Government have not agreed to this step.