Campaigners are again pushing for sex and relationships education (SRE) to be made compulsory in all English schools. Currently local authority-maintained schools in England are obliged to teach SRE from age 11 upwards, and must have regard to the Government’s SRE guidance. Academies and free schools, the majority in secondary education in England, do not have to follow the National Curriculum and so are not under this obligation. But if they do decide to teach SRE, they must also have regard to the guidance. Parents are free to withdraw their children from SRE if they wish to do so. The only exceptions to this are the biological aspects of human growth and reproduction, which are essential elements of National Curriculum Science. But this could change if government-funded campaigners have their way. Private members’ bills have been tabled to introduce compulsory SRE. There have also been calls from across parties for the Government’s SRE guidance to be updated to equip teachers more effectively.