This guidance on sex and relationship education in schools replaces Circular 5/94. It has been written to take account of the revised National Curriculum, published in September 1999, the need for guidance arising out of the new Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) framework and the Social Exclusion Unit report on teenage pregnancy. This guidance aims to: clarify what schools are required to do by law; give guidance on some of the issues involved in developing a policy on sex and relationship education; show how it should be taught within the PSHE framework; guide schools and teachers on some of the sensitive issues schools may have to tackle when teaching sex and relationship education; outline some practical strategies for teaching; emphasise the importance of working in partnership with parents and the wider community; address some of the issues for schools concerning confidentiality.