There is clear evidence that school-based sex education programmes can improve sexual health outcomes. Women who have experienced sex education in schools are less likely to have experienced rape, abortion or distress about sex. Many factors combine to affect health and sex education will not override the determinants of health in general. The aim of this Spotlightis to consider the national and international policy architecture for school-based sex education, which favours a liberal and comprehensive approach, and to review current provision for sex education in post-primary schools in Ireland. The Spotlight will critique Ireland’s historical relationship with sex education and conduct a rapid evidence assessment of good practice guidance for sex education programming in the liberal tradition generally favoured by European democracies.