Circular 2/2001 (Conduct of Sex Education in Scottish Schools) was issued under Section 56 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000, which required education authorities to have regard to Scottish Executive guidance in developing and providing sex education programmes. At local level, authorities and schools have discretion over the nature of such programmes and the materials used within them.Supplementary material to assist authorities – including guidance on effective consultation with parents and carers, and a summary of national advice on sex education – was issued with the circular.