Forthcoming Changes to Relationships, Sex, and Health Education
Since 2020, Relationships and Sex Education has been compulsory for all secondary school students in England, with Health Education being compulsory for all students in state-funded schools
Last year, following reports of inappropriate content being taught in some schools, the Prime Minister and Education Secretary initiated the first review of the RSHE curriculum. An independent panel of experts provided advice for this review, and the updated guidance has now been published for consultation.
Statutory Guidance
After consultation, the guidance will become statutory, meaning schools must adhere to it unless there are exceptional circumstances. There is some flexibility within age ratings to address questions from pupils earlier than expected, provided the teaching is limited to essential facts and parents are informed.
Sharing with translators for understanding
Fair dealing for purposes of quotation, criticism, or review
Sharing with friends, family, faith leaders, lawyers, school organizations, governing bodies, local authorities, Ofsted, and the media, as long as the sharing is proportionate and acknowledges the author and ownership.
Parental Rights
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from sex education but not from the essential content in relationships education
Implementation Timeline
Schools can begin using the guidance once the final version is published later this year. An implementation period will be allowed for schools to adjust their curriculum accordingly.
Seeking Public Input
Key Updates in the Curriculum
- Suicide prevention;
- Sexual harassment and sexual violence;
- Loneliness;
- Prevalence of 'deep fakes';
- Healthy behaviours during pregnancy and miscarriage;
- Illegal online behaviours (e.g., drug and knife supply);
- Dangers of vaping;
- Menstrual and gynaecological health (including endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and heavy menstrual bleeding);
- Age-Specific Guidelines; and
- Parental Transparency: Schools must inform parents about the RSHE content their children are being taught and allow parents to view teaching materials.
Primary School
- Online gaming, social media, and scam risks: not before Year 3;
- Puberty: not before Year 4; and
- Sex education: not before Year 5, aligned with the national curriculum for science.
Secondary School
- Suicide: not before Year 8;
- Explicit discussion of sexual activity: not before Year 9; and
- Sexual harassment: not before Year 7
Parental Use of Shared Resources
This guidance emphasises transparency with parents, who cannot veto curriculum content but can view it and raise concerns through the school's processes. Parents may share copyrighted materials they receive under certain conditions, including explicit discussion of sexual activity not before Year 9.