ABSTRACT
Sex and Relationship Education has been an optional part of the curriculum in primary schools for many years. At the start of this millennium guidelines were introduced to support its implementation, although they were never statutory. Relationships should come first in the curriculum title, because developing healthy relationships is a fundamental part of human development, and ideally should precede sex. Sex Education should be included within the curriculum in primary schools so that children learn about the changes associated with puberty before they experience them, and they understand why such changes occur rather than merely being taught the mechanics. A fundamental aim of the new curriculum for Relationships Education in England is on: teaching the fundamental building blocks and characteristics of positive relationships, with particular reference to friendships, family relationships, and relationships with other children and with adults. The framework provided through the taxonomy provides a continuum of relationships to help structure discussion.
