Five things schools need to know about the new RSHE guidance

1. It applies from 1 September 2026

The revised statutory guidance applies to schools in England from the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year. Schools must have regard to it when planning and delivering Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education.

2. It reflects the risks young people face today

The guidance places greater emphasis on experiences that cross between young people’s online and offline lives. This includes harmful online content, pornography, image sharing, grooming, exploitation, coercive control, sexual harassment and violence against women and girls. Pupils should learn how to recognise unsafe situations, respond safely and find appropriate help.

3. Content must be age appropriate, carefully sequenced and accessible

Schools retain flexibility over how they organise their curriculum, but learning should build progressively from primary into secondary education. It must be appropriate to pupils’ age and development and accessible to everyone, including pupils with SEND. Schools should consider what pupils have previously learned, particularly when supporting the transition into Year 7.

4. RSHE should support the whole-school culture

The guidance is not simply a list of topics to cover in lessons. RSHE should connect with the school’s approach to safeguarding, behaviour, bullying, inclusion, equality and pastoral care. Schools should actively challenge everyday sexism, misogyny, homophobia and harmful stereotypes and make clear that sexual harassment and sexual violence are never acceptable.

5. Schools remain responsible when using external providers

Specialist organisations can bring valuable expertise and different ways of engaging pupils, but they should enhance rather than replace the school’s planned teaching. Schools should check providers’ credentials, materials, accessibility and lesson plans in advance. They should also agree how disclosures and safeguarding concerns will be managed and make sure the work fits their published RSHE policy.

Schools should now be checking that their curriculum, policy, staff preparation and external provision are ready for September. The full Department for Education statutory guidance is available online.

Schools that use Loudmouth can access free training and support to help them to implement the new guidance. To sign up to a sample training or to find out what existing customers get, contact us on 0121 446 4880 or email enquiry@loudmouth.co.uk