The DFE issued new statutory RSHE guidance in July 2025. This replaces the current, 2019 guidance, though schools will have until September 2026 to adapt their curriculum to reflect these updated requirements.

The new Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance for 2025 builds on the previous guidance, providing updated content and a skills-based approach. There is a greater focus on personal safety, mental health, and online safety, including new safeguarding risks related to technology. The guidance also addresses misogyny, violence against women and girls, and the harmful effects of pornography. Content on promoting financial wellbeing and understanding financial harms has also been added.

Current and new RSHE statutory guidance can be viewed here DfE statutory guidance for schools (gov.uk)

Whilst PSHE has not achieved statutory status across the board, Health and Wellbeing, and Relationships/Relationships and Sex Education constitute a significant part of PSHE. PSHE remains a distinct discipline to be taught as part of the school curriculum and includes the non-statutory element - Economic education/ Living in the Wider World. Schools have a defined statutory duty to provide Careers and Financial education.

Please also see DfE Keeping Children Safe In Education July 2025 , where references to teaching RSHE/ PSHE are part of the school’s statutory duty with regards to safeguarding.

Current DfE Guidance

• PSHE is currently a non-statutory subject however, Relationships (Primary) and Relationships Sex Education (Secondary) and Health Education are statutory elements of the curriculum, and core elements within the PSHE curriculum are statutory for years 1 – 11 and schools with 6th forms

• PSHE/ statutory RSHE contributes to the Ofsted judgement on Personal Development and wider aspects of the new Ofsted Framework

• PSHE supports the teaching of Character Education. Please see DfE character-education-framework (gov.uk)

• PSHE supports Equalities education. Please see DfE inspecting teaching of the protected characteristics in schools (gov.uk)

• Schools have a duty to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum and one that supports the personal development, behaviour, welfare, and safeguarding of pupils (Education Act 2002 and Academies Act 2010).

• The Department for Education PSHE updated Sept 2021 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-social-health-and-economic-education-pshe/personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-education

• DfE guidance makes it clear that a school’s PSHE/RSHE curriculum should be published and available for parents to view and should contain the same level of detail and equity with all other curriculum subjects.

• The introduction to the national curriculum states that all state schools ‘should make provision for personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE), drawing on good practice'. DfE guidance also states that PSHE education is ‘an important and necessary part of all pupils’ education’.

• Schools are free to determine what resources they use to cover the PSHE curriculum and how this provision is organised. A planned and developmental programme of study across all year groups with lessons part of the timetable is recommended.

DfE guidance: Relationships and Sex Education current guidance (2019 – Aug 2026)

Primary

• Relationships Education is statutory for years 1 - 6 and needs to be age and context appropriate. Schools are expected to work sensitively with their communities whilst maintaining an inclusive approach in order to fulfil their duty with regard to the 2010 Equalities Act. Relationships Education must comply with the new statutory guidance by 1st September 2026. Please visit DfE Relationships and sex-education and health education (gov.uk)

• Sex education remains recommended but not compulsory for primary schools and is recognised as an important part of PSHE education, providing a reliable source of information on Sex Education and is protective in terms of safeguarding and reporting concerns

• Primary schools must consult with parents and publish their Relationships Education policy or RSE policy (combined Relationships and non-statutory Sex Education). Schools should consult with parents when reviewing and updating policies. For policy writing guidance and support please contact Carol Stottor by emailing Carol.Stottor@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

• Any school providing Sex Education must consult with parents/carers and publish its Sex Education/RSE Policy, including information for parents/carers of their right to withdraw.

• There is no parental right to withdraw from any aspect of Relationships Education, PSHE, or the Science curriculum

• Schools are required to work collaboratively with parents to ensure they are well informed about when and how Relationships Education and Sex Education are being delivered, and how they can support their child. There are leaflets to support parents/carers. Please visit DfE relationships sex and health education guides for schools (gov.uk)

• It is vital that pupils are taught to recognise how to keep themselves safe, report any form of abuse, and be able to access support if required

• Schools are required to provide age and context-appropriate provision for their pupils by delivering a planned and sequential curriculum to meet the outcomes for Relationships Education by the end of year 6

• Schools are required to share materials with parents and carers on request and publish curriculum overviews on the school’s website

Secondary

• Relationships and Sex Education are statutory in all maintained secondary schools. Relationships and Sex Education must comply with the current statutory guidance. Visit DfE relationships and sex education and health education (gov.uk)

• From parents have the right to withdraw students from Sex Education until the young person is within three terms of their 16th birthday, after which students can choose to opt into Sex Education

• There is no parental right to withdraw from any other aspect of Relationships Education, PSHE, or the Science curriculum

• Schools are required to provide age and context-appropriate provision for their pupils by delivering a planned and sequential curriculum to meet the outcomes for RSE by the end of years 6 and 11

• Schools with 6th forms are required to deliver RSHE

• Schools are required to work collaboratively with parents who should be consulted with and be well informed about when what and how Relationships Education and Sex Education are being delivered. It is vital to work with parents to support their understanding of what is being covered and how they can support their children. Visit DfE relationships sex and health education guides for schools (gov.uk)

• It is vital that pupils are taught to recognise how to keep themselves safe and report any form of abuse and are able to access support from trusted agencies and helplines if required

• Secondary schools must consult with parents and publish their RSE policy and continue to consult when the policy is reviewed or updated. For policy writing guidance and support please contact Carol Stottor by emailing Carol.Stottor@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

• Schools are required to share materials with parents and carers on request and publish curriculum overviews on the school’s website

DfE guidance: Health Education current guidance

• Health Education is mandated for all pupils in years 1 -11 and for schools with 6th forms

• Puberty is part of statutory Health Education. Parents/carers are not able to withdraw their children from this aspect of PSHE

• Schools are not required to have a policy for Health Education. Health Education is best referenced and included in the school’s PSHE policy and evidenced in short, medium, and long-term planning

• It is vital pupils are taught how and when to access help if they need it and trusted people to approach. The school signposts pupils to safe sources of information, reputable organisations, and helplines to access if required

• Schools are required to provide age and context-appropriate provision for their pupils by delivering a planned and sequential curriculum to meet the outcomes for Health Education by the end of years 6 and 11, and for students in school 6th form.

Highly recommended resources

Schools have the autonomy to select resources that best support their pupils' learning. All content and materials should be suitable for the age group and tailored to the specific needs of the cohort being taught.

The PSHE Association has published an updated Key stage 1-5 programme of study which is free to download. Please visit Programme of Study KS1-5 Members have full access to the PSHE Association’s comprehensive suite of teaching resources, including expert guidance and regular updates. Purchasing a school membership is highly recommended. Please click here for further details.

Buckinghamshire Public Health has a Healthy Schools website where advice, guidance and resources are available, including access to commissioned services, partnership details and local services for children and young people. Public Health | SchoolsWeb