Student-reported relationships and sex education coverage and knowledge among a diverse population of early adolescents: a cross-sectional survey of students in England

Student-reported quality and coverage of school-based relationships sex education (RSE) vary, with gender/sexual-minority disadvantaged students reporting poorer provision. Experience RSE among younger adolescents is under-explored. We examined student-reported priorities how coverage, sexual-health knowledge awareness services, varies between schools. The data came from a pre-intervention survey aged 12–13 years within trial an intervention involving 50 English There was most basic information, such as puberty safeguarding. least topics more appropriate for older students, sexual relationships, teachers might find difficult to broach, e.g. pornography masturbation. Girls, gay/lesbian bisexual/other orientation, minority-ethnic lower academic commitment reported than others. Knowledge RSE-related services generally low. Boys, orientation higher school had knowledge. Students services. Coverage did not vary school-level attainment or local deprivation. Future forms provision should ensure content teaching methods meet the needs all students.