Statutory Relationships (&Sex) & Health Education (RSHE)

On 18th July 2018 the government announced that all schools will have to teach Relationships and Sex Education (secondary)/ Relationships Education (primary) and health education from September 2020.

Included in what will be delivered:

• features of healthy friendships, family relationships and other relationships
• how relationships can affect physical and mental health
• staying safe online
• how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully
• how to keep personal information private
• healthy eating
• keeping fit
• prevention of health problems
• recognition of mental health and ways to support good mental health
• consent
• development of qualities such as confidence, resilience, self-respect
• wider social and economic issues

The amendments to the Children and Social Work Act (2017) places a duty on the Secretary of State for Education to make regulations requiring:

· All primary schools in England to teach age-appropriate 'relationships education'; and

· All secondary schools in England to teach age-appropriate 'relationships and sex education'

The amendments also created a power enabling the Government to make regulations requiring PSHE to be taught in academies and maintained schools – it is already compulsory in independent schools. By creating a power on PSHE, they are allowing time to consider what the right fit of this subject is with Relationships Education and Relationships and Sex Education.

The statutory guidance for Sex and Relationships Education was introduced in 2000 and is becoming increasingly outdated. It fails to address risks to children that have grown in prevalence over the last 17 years, including cyber bullying, 'sexting' and staying safe online.

Parents will continue to have a right to withdraw their children from sex education. Schools will have flexibility over how they deliver these subjects, so they can develop an integrated approach that is sensitive to the needs of the local community; and, as now, faith schools will continue to be able to teach in accordance with the tenets of their faith.

Please visit the PSHE Association website for Relationships Education & RSE Guides to supporting Parental Engagement, available here. The Department for Education have also published two short guides for parents, both available here.

The Department for Education have led a comprehensive programme of engagement to set out age-appropriate subject content and identify the support schools need to deliver high-quality teaching. Regulations and statutory guidance have been subject to full public consultation and has been laid subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. In line with this timetable, schools will be required to teach this content from September 2019.

On the 25th June 2019, the DfE published the final guidance on relationships education (primary) relationships and sex education (secondary) and health education (primary and secondary). The guidance and regulations were formally laid in Parliament before debate in both houses.

The Sex Education Forum has published a very helpful briefing for MPs and other interested parties.