RSHE – ready for a review?
Relationships education has been compulsory for pupils in primary education since September 2020. For secondary pupils, relationships and sex education (RSE) must be taught. Health education is compulsory in all phases.
Given the importance RHSE plays in the curriculum and as a building block for healthy, respectful relationships the review planned by the government aims to ensure that this is being carried out and taught appropriately at all levels.
The aim is that the proposed review will be completed by the end of 2023 and will be carried out by a team of experts. They will look at how the curriculum is introduced to different age groups and whether age-ratings should be introduced for different topics. The will be reviewed and if necessary updated.
It was published in 2019 and is seen as in need of overhaul as the commitment was to review and update guidance every 3 years in order to ensure that the guidance accurately reflects the needs and issues of young people.
When the review was announced the Education Secretary reminded schools of their duty to share materials in relation to the RHSE curriculum with parents and that consultation with parents should be taking place when developing or reviewing a written policy for RSHE. Schools should ensure that the policy meets the needs of pupils and parents and reflects the community they serve.
There remains some flexibility for schools to determine the age-appropriate, developmental curriculum which meets the needs of young people. This also allows the schools to respond to public health and needs of their community and adapt materials and programmes to meet the needs of pupils (for example in teaching about gangs or high local prevalence of specific issues).
Schools should continue to develop their curriculums in line with the consultations with stakeholders and particularly pupil needs and be ready to implement any new guidance when it is published.
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Stark increase in rates of school suspensions and exclusions
Online Event
Embracing AI to improve school governance
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Navigating workplace sexual harassment laws during the festive season
Press Release
Comments on the latest SEND tribunal statistics
Guide - PFI expiry
PFI expiry guidance for schools
Opinion
Revolutionising the Workforce: Impact of Get Britain Working White Paper
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
The power of storytelling (and curiosity)
Online Event
Supporting universities to meet their financial duties
Podcast - #EdInfluence
#EdInfluence podcast (series 4): In conversation with inspiring leaders
Press Release - School leaders survey
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ’s latest School Leaders Survey illustrates need for better SEND guidance as exclusions rise
Press Release
New hires at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ will support schools with data compliance amid enhanced ICO scrutiny
Opinion
Balancing employer flexibility and employee rights
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - School leaders survey
School Leaders Survey Autumn 2024: The results are in
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected: Schools and academy trusts November 2024
On-Demand
Shaping a culture of respect and safety: Preventing sexual harassment in our schools
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Funding withdrawn for trusts and academy conversions
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Top five takeaways for schools on the Employment Rights Bill
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Martyn's Law: A closer look at the UK's new proposed anti-terror measures
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
New High Court case on exclusion reconsiderations
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Building an inclusive workplace: strategies for attracting and retaining disabled talent
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
New practical guidance on challenging Ofsted inspections
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
What will the new RISE Scheme mean for schools and academy trusts?
On-Demand
How schools can grapple with new employment law to thrive in a new era
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Five steps to turn the tide on Subject Access Requests
Guide
New guidance for intervention in schools
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Silence persists on gender questioning guidance for schools
Online Event
EdCon 2025
Press Release
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ comments on the government's announcement of tuition fee rises
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - Be Connected (higher education)
Be Connected: Higher education Autumn 2024
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Supreme Court clarifies public authority liability: Police duty of care in negligence cases
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - Employment Rights Bill
Labour’s employment law reforms: Employment Rights Bill unveiled
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Expanding the role of school attendance mentors
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Working together to support student wellbeing
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - Procurement Act
Procurement Act delay: What’s the impact for higher education institutions?
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
What the UK Covid-19 Inquiry means for higher education providers
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
When should a school add a pupil to its admissions register?
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
Attendance management checklist for schools
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ
School exclusions guidance: Managed moves between schools
°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏ - Be Connected (schools)
Be Connected (schools and academy trusts): October 2024
