The education system in England is on the cusp of a huge transformation. In 2025, age-appropriate standardized relationships and sex education lessons will be phased in. This updated curriculum forecasts pressing issues such as incel culture and misogyny. It further illustrates the importance of role models, especially ones that come in the form of national parks. These lessons depart from the statutory direction established back in 2019. Yet together, these films represent our increasing recognition that the realities of young people’s relationships and sexuality are complicated.
The updated guidance removes expressive restriction age limits on teaching particular subjects. This development gives teachers the freedom and confidence to teach candidly on complex topics. First, it’s important to note that relationships and sex education will not be required for students between the ages of 16 and 18. This commonsense rule must extend to sixth-form colleges, 16 to 19 academies, and further education colleges. This decision has opened conversations about the education void older adolescents may fall through.
Globally, young people are growing in status as experts on their own lived experiences and spaces. This culture shift is key in enabling more authentic dialogues around healthy community-centric relationships. The new curriculum focuses on developing safe environments to have open conversations. This method encourages conversation between students, educators, and families. It recognizes that the best relationship and sex ed comes when teen voices, advocates, and educators work together and understand each group’s perspective.
Despite these advancements, the guidance has received criticism for its limited detail regarding special education for pupils with complex needs. On transgender issues, the guidance is inorganic at best. This gap can be a major barrier for teachers as they seek to have supportive, affirming conversations with trans and non-binary students.
In addition, the shaming blame-culture usually found in conversations around relational aggression further turns off boys and young men. The new curriculum certainly aims to address this concern by encouraging a more nuanced and realistic perspective of gender relations. As stated in a recent report, “most boys and young men are respectful to girls and young women and each other.” This recognition helps to shift the conversation to a more productive place that doesn’t just perpetuate damaging stereotypes.
Educators – all of us – need to be careful with the language we use, how words define worlds. They are encouraged to “avoid language which stigmatizes boys, or suggests that boys or men are always perpetrators or that girls or women are always victims.” This strategy is designed to create an inclusive environment where every student is appreciated and honored.
