Navigating RSHE: Updated Guidance and What it Means for Your School

Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) is a vital subject taught across primary and secondary schools in England. Let’s dive into the recent changes and what they mean for schools and parents

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on The Department of Education

What is new in the updated curriculum? 

Age limits are being introduced, to ensure children aren’t being taught about sensitive and complex subjects before they are ready to fully understand them.

It has also been made clear that the concept of gender identity – the sense a person may have of their own gender, whether male, female or a number of other categories  – is highly contested and should not be taught. This is in line with the cautious approach taken in our guidance on gender questioning children.

Along with other factors, teaching this theory in the classroom could prompt some children to start to question their gender when they may not have done so otherwise, and is a complex theory for children to understand.

The facts about biological sex and gender reassignment will still be taught.

The guidance for schools also contains a new section on transparency with parents, making it absolutely clear that parents have a legal right to know what their children are being taught in RSHE and can request to see teaching materials.

What are the age limits?  

In primary school, it’s been set out that subjects such as the risks of online gaming, social media and scams should not be taught before year 3.

Puberty shouldn’t be taught before year 4, whilst sex education shouldn’t be taught before year 5, in line with what pupils learn about conception and birth as part of the national curriculum for science.

In secondary school, issues regarding sexual harassment shouldn’t be taught before year 7, direct references to suicide before year 8 and any explicit discussion of sexual activity before year 9.

Do schools have to follow the guidance? 

There is some flexibility within the age ratings, as schools will sometimes need to respond to questions from pupils about age-restricted content, if they come up earlier within their school community.

In these circumstances, schools are instructed to make sure that teaching is limited to the essential facts without going into unnecessary details, and parents should be informed.

Transparency with Parents

This guidance has openness with parents at its heart. Parents are not able to veto curriculum content, but they should be able to see what their children are being taught, which gives them the opportunity to raise issues or concerns through the school’s own processes, if they want to.

Parents can also share copyrighted materials they have received from their school more widely under certain circumstances.

Parents still have the right to withdraw their child from sex education, but not from the essential content covered in relationships education.

With RSHE being a critical aspect of a child’s education, it’s essential for parents and schools to work together. Understanding the changes and engaging in the consultation process ensures that RSHE meets the needs of all pupils, promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment.