DfE unveils updated RSHE guidance for schools

The Department for Education has published revised statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), which schools in England must implement from September 2025.

The updated framework introduces stricter requirements around safeguarding, digital literacy, consent and parental engagement, with the aim of better preparing children and young people for healthy relationships and modern life.

Under the new guidance, relationships education is mandatory in primary schools, while relationships and sex education (RSE) is compulsory at secondary level. Health education remains a requirement for all state-funded schools. Though independent schools are not bound by the same health education standards, they must continue to provide personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education in line with existing regulations.

All schools must have an RSHE policy in place, created in consultation with parents, and publish it online. Parents retain the right to withdraw their child from sex education, but not from lessons covering relationships or health. From three terms before their 16th birthday, pupils may override parental withdrawal and opt back in.

The curriculum, to be delivered in a sequenced, age-appropriate manner, includes comprehensive content on topics such as consent, online safety, pornography, gender stereotypes, coercive behaviour and sexually transmitted infections. New sections address the impact of AI, sextortion, and deepfake content, as well as the harms linked to gambling, vaping and social media addiction.

Primary pupils will continue to be taught about healthy families, friendships, respect and personal safety. The government continues to recommend – but not require – sex education in years 5 and 6, linked to content in the national science curriculum. Secondary pupils will explore more complex issues, including contraception, sexual ethics, gender identity, exploitation and abortion. All content must be medically and legally accurate, and inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils.

The guidance places significant emphasis on mental wellbeing and emotional resilience. Pupils will learn about common mental health conditions, stigma reduction, and suicide prevention – though schools are advised to handle these topics with professional support and staff training. Eating disorders and self-harm may be taught where appropriate but must be approached sensitively.

Online safety features prominently. Pupils will be taught how to recognise manipulation, avoid sharing images, understand consent in digital contexts, and critically evaluate online content. The curriculum also warns against exposure to harmful online influencers and content that promotes violence, misogyny or self-harm.

Schools must ensure lessons comply with the Equality Act 2010 and teach the legal position on marriage, consent, domestic abuse and gender reassignment. However, they are advised not to present contested ideas – such as gender identity – as fact.

To support safeguarding, staff must be alert to signs of abuse and trained in responding to disclosures. The Department warns that RSHE may lead to an increase in safeguarding reports and schools should be prepared. External visitors must also follow school protocols and may not use teaching materials that cannot be shared with parents.

The new guidance also introduces clearer expectations around parental transparency. All teaching resources must be available for inspection by parents on request. Schools are forbidden from signing contracts with external providers that restrict such access, and must comply with copyright law without using it as an excuse to withhold materials.

The Department said the reforms are designed to help children “make informed and ethical decisions” while supporting their moral, social, mental and physical development. The new curriculum, it added, would help pupils “cultivate positive characteristics including resilience, self-worth, honesty, integrity and kindness” as part of a whole-school approach to wellbeing.

Schools must now prepare to review their policies, consult with families, train staff and audit resources to ensure full compliance ahead of the September 2025 deadline.