Sexually transmitted infections have increased
After warnings about increased rates of sexually transmitted infections, the government says it wants to "raise the status and quality" of sex education.
Teachers taking part in the project can receive accredited training in sex education - with these staff then expected to bring up-to-date practice into their schools
These could help to implement government guidelines in a subject area over which individual schools have much autonomy.
If the pilot proves successful, the government says a national roll-out of the scheme could be introduced.
And in the next few months, an education department spokesperson says a sex education website will be launched.
This will give teachers real life case studies and advice on sex and relationship education.
"Effective sex and relationship education is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed decisions about their life," said the government spokesperson.
"That is why sex education - which must include teaching about HIV, Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases - is compulsory in all maintained secondary schools."
Promiscuity
A report from the British Medical Association says that schools must make greater efforts to address the growing incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
This should include a more pro-active stance in warning about the risks of promiscuity and unprotected sex, says the report.
Government guidelines published in July 2000 warned of high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases and told schools that sex education should "not encourage early sexual experimentation".
This review broadened the term "sex education" to "sex and relationship education", reflecting the inclusion of "moral and emotional" aspects as well as the physical facts of sexuality.
Marriage
This includes recognising "the importance of marriage for family life; stable and loving relationships, respect, love and care".
The teaching of sex education is most likely to fall in two subject areas - science and in personal, social and health education
In primary school, this will include teaching children that "humans can produce offspring" and about lifecycles of birth and death.
In secondary school, from the age of 11, pupils will learn more fully about human sexual reproduction and the "physical and emotional changes during adolescence".
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from sex education lessons, if they feel the information inappropriate.
Schools also retain control over much of what is taught in sex education lessons. Policies on sex education are set by school governors, in consultation with parents.