What Independent Schools need to know about the new Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education (RSHE) Statutory Guidance before September 2026
The Department for Education (DfE) has published revised statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), set to come into force on 1 September 2026. This update marks a significant shift in how schools, particularly independent schools, are expected to approach RSHE, with a renewed focus on safeguarding, transparency, and responsiveness to the realities of pupils’ lives.
Personal, social, health and economic education remains compulsory in independent schools, however the new guidance notes that independent schools may find the sections on health education helpful in planning.
General principles of RSHE
The new guidance introduces seven guiding principles for RSHE curriculum development, which apply across all school types. These include:
- Engagement with pupils – ensuring content reflects pupils’ lived experiences.
- Engagement with parents – schools must proactively engage and consult parents when developing and reviewing their RSHE policies. They should communicate openly and transparently to ensure parents are aware of what is being taught..
- Positivity – building positive attitudes and skills, promoting healthy norms about relationships and avoiding language that might normalise harmful behaviour.
- Careful sequencing – sequencing teaching so that pupils are supported and equipped with the knowledge to navigate different experiences in a positive way before they occur, and to prevent harms.
- Relevant and responsive – the curriculum should be relevant, age and stage appropriate and accessible to pupils in the schools locality, or more generally. This aligns with the growing expectation that schools are aware of and will respond to any developments and cultural issues impacting young people.
- Skilled delivery –the curriculum should be delivered by school staff or, where schools choose to use them, external providers who have the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a safe and supportive environment. Staff should be trained in safeguarding and offering support, recognising the increased possibility of disclosures.
- Whole school approach –the curriculum must be delivered as part of a whole school approach to wellbeing and positive relationships, supported by other school policies, including behaviour and safeguarding policies.
Key changes in the RSHE 2025 guidance
The revised guidance reflects growing concerns about online harms and societal shifts. Notable, but not exhaustive, updates include:
- New curriculum content – Secondary pupils will now learn about AI-generated images, deepfakes, misogyny, and incel culture, alongside existing topics like consent and sexual health.
- Expanded safety education – Both primary and secondary pupils will receive enhanced teaching on personal safety, including fire, travel, and knife crime awareness.
- Gender identity – schools should be mindful that beyond the facts and the law about biological sex and gender reassignment there is significant debate. Schools or staff should not endorse any particular view or teach it as fact. For example, it should not be taught as fact that all people have a gender identity.
- Flexible age guidance – Schools are given discretion to address sensitive topics earlier if relevant to their pupil cohort, such as discussing online sexual content in late primary if pupils have been exposed to it.
- Transparency with parents – Schools must allow parents to view all curriculum materials and cannot enter contracts with external providers that restrict this access.
Implications for independent schools
While RSHE is already compulsory in independent schools under the Independent School Standards, the new guidance provides a clearer framework and expectations. Independent schools should now:
- Review and update RSHE policies to reflect the new statutory guidance.
- Engage with parents through policy consultation and curriculum transparency.
- Audit current RSHE provision to identify gaps in content, especially around new topics like online harms and misogyny.
- Train staff to deliver sensitive content confidently and appropriately.
- Plan curriculum changes in time for full implementation by September 2026, though early adoption is encouraged.
Next steps for schools
Independent schools should begin preparations now. This includes reading the full guidance and integrating RSHE into broader safeguarding and wellbeing strategies. With the DfE emphasising the importance of RSHE in promoting mental health and resilience, schools have an opportunity to strengthen their pastoral care while meeting statutory obligations.
For legal compliance and best practice, schools should ensure their RSHE curriculum is not only age-appropriate and inclusive but also responsive to the challenges pupils face in today’s digital and social landscape.
How can Moore Barlow help?
We would be delighted to help you update any policies or provisions following this recent update and to provide training to your staff. Please reach out to your usual contact in our Independent Schools team.
