The new DfE RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) guidance has been published!
This revised guidance includes updated statutory requirements for schools in England. See below key resources and summaries:
The PSHE Association
has provided a summary of the key changes and what you need to know about 
changes to the guidance.
This replaces the current, 2019 guidance, though schools will have until September 2026 to adapt their curriculum to reflect these updated requirements.
You can, however, start following the new guidance sooner if you wish to and are properly prepared.
Updated RSHE requirements published – what you need to know
Watch the video below for a summary of 'What you need to know' and next steps from the PSHE association
Official Guidance Document
You can view or download the full statutory guidance directly from the UK government website:
Summary for Parents
The Education Hub has published a helpful summary of what the new guidance means for parents and pupils:
Also see below overview and key points from Incisive health -
Overview of new guidance
The headline message is that the updated guidance is a significant improvement on the previous guidance – it specifically mentions gynaecological health, removes the age guidance on sensitive topics and calls out the need to cover countering misinformation and signposting towards medically accurate information.
Key points from the guidance include:
Age guidance: The guidance no longer places age limits on sensitive topics; however, it recognises the need for content to be age appropriate. It notes that RSHE should provide children with the knowledge they need later in life.
Gynaecological health: While the previous guidance did not mention gynaecological health, the updated guidance states that secondary school curriculum content should cover menstrual and gynaecological health, including what an average period is, heavy menstrual bleeding, PCOS, endometriosis, and when to seek help from healthcare professionals.
Sexual and reproductive health, including menopause: Secondary schools should also teach about the full range of contraceptive choices and options available, alongside reproductive health, including fertility and menopause, and should include signposting towards medically accurate online information about sexual and reproductive health. On menopause, there is an addition that states RSHE should ensure both boys and girls have the opportunity to understand experiences which are different from their own, including menstruation and menopause
Misinformation: Secondary schools must also cover ‘how to counter misinformation, including signposting towards medically accurate information and further advice, and where to access confidential sexual and reproductive health advice and treatment’
Primary education: The guidance states that primary school curriculum content should include the ‘correct names for body parts, including the vulva and vagina’, which enormously positive. (In comparison, the previous guidance and draft guidance do not mention this at all). The new guidance also says that the curriculum should cover key facts about the menstrual cycle, including physical and emotional changes. The guidance acknowledges that while the average age of starting periods is 12, it can start at 8, so covering this topic beforehand is important in avoiding distress
Delivery: Within the Government’s consultation response, it says ‘we are considering how to best support teachers to deliver the content’.
Broader changes within the guidance include:
- There is a greater emphasis on misogyny, violence against women and girls and related factors, including the negative impact of pornography, in line with government priorities and widespread safeguarding concerns about such issues
- There is recognition of the new safeguarding risks caused by rapid technological developments in recent years
- There is recognition of the importance of teacher expertise and agency in tailoring material appropriately
- The importance of clear communication with parents and carers is emphasised
