The Department for Education (DfE) has released an updated version of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. Schools have until September 1st 2026 to make the necessary curriculum adjustments to adhere to the new requirements.
This article highlights some key changes from the upcoming RSHE guidance to give headteachers, DSLs, SLTs, governors and teachers an insight into what’s to come.
Note: While the guidance does not apply to sixth form colleges, 16-19 academies or Further Education (FE) colleges, the DfE encourages these settings to offer the subjects, and explains that they “may find the principles helpful, especially in supporting pupils in the transition to FE.”
Background
The RSHE document is statutory guidance outlining what schools should do and the legal duties they must comply with when teaching relationships education, relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education.
This latest version replaces the 2019 guidance, which schools can continue following until August 31st, 2026. Settings that are able to make the necessary preparations before then may decide to implement the new guidance earlier.
Notable changes in the new RSHE guidance
The guidance emphasises the need for RSHE teaching to be age-appropriate, whilst granting teachers the scope to address topics students may encounter (both on and offline) in a safe and sensitive way.
Curriculum content is divided into approaches to take at primary and secondary level. The changes listed below represent just a portion of the updates included in the new guidance, and some may only apply at secondary level.
Schools are advised to consult the full guidance to determine all of the changes that apply to their setting.
AI and deepfakes among new digital risks highlighted
The importance of pupils having a strong awareness of online safety and the rules and regulations around technology use is reinforced. This now includes a consideration of the prevalence of deepfakes, how to identify them and an understanding of the harms they can cause.
Advancements in AI technology are also recognised. This includes mentions of AI chatbots and the dangers they pose in terms of “creating fake intimacy or offering harmful advice [page 16]”, and the growing issue of AI-generated CSAM, which is a crime even if created by a child.
Wider exploration of consent and ethical behaviours
The new guidance explores the fact that healthy relationships require ethical behaviours that go beyond consent. For example, “pupils should understand that just because someone says yes to doing something, that doesn’t automatically make it ethically ok [page 14].”
It also clarifies that pupils should understand “sexual consent and their capacity to give, withhold or remove consent at any time, even if initially given [page 19].”
Staff to be trained by mental health professionals on suicide prevention
Schools are directed to consider how to address suicide prevention in a safe way. This could include discussing issues such as isolation and bullying, and teaching pupils coping methods for when things go wrong in their lives.
Addressing suicide directly requires schools to consult medical health professionals first and implement evidence-based staff training. Teachers are advised to “take particular care not to discuss instructions or methods of self-harm or suicide [para. 44]”, to avoid giving pupils ideas.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender content expanded
Primary schools are now strongly encouraged to “include same-sex parents along with other family arrangements [para. 68]” when teaching students about healthy, loving relationships. In secondary school, content on stable, healthy relationships should be “integrated into RSHE programmes of study [para. 68]”, with equal opportunity given to explorations of features of same-sex relationships.
In terms of transgender content, schools should teach students the facts and law around biological sex and gender reassignment, while being “careful not to endorse any particular view or teach it as fact [para. 70].” Educators are also guided to “avoid language and activities which repeat or enforce gender stereotypes [para. 70].”
Further emphasis on the need to consult parents
Schools are instructed to “proactively engage and consult [para. 12]” parents when developing and reviewing RSHE policy, and “be transparent with parents about all materials used in RSHE [page 5].” This includes when working with external organisations to deliver RSHE content.
Schools are also required to make all curriculum materials available to parents upon request, to ensure transparency and enable informed discussions at home.
The DfE has published an article to help parents understand the new RSHE guidelines on The Education Hub blog.
No strict age limits on sex education
RSHE guidance drafted under the previous Conservative Government stated that pupils under the age of 9 would not be taught sex education. The new guidance does not set any age limit, but rather instructs that teaching on the topic of sex “should be age appropriate and respectful of all children, including those who may have no familiarity with the topics under discussion [para. 29].”
If, for example, primary school pupils are known to have seen pornography, this may warrant a discussion on online sexual content. Any deviation from a school’s published RSE policy must be communicated to parents in advance.
Increased focus on misogyny and violence against women and girls (VAWG)
The new guidance expands on existing mentions of misogyny and VAWG to emphasise that pupils should be taught to recognise and challenge various forms of misogyny and “understand the links between sexism and misogyny and violence against women and girls [para. 80].” When pupils express misogynistic ideas, staff are directed to “challenge the ideas, rather than the person expressing them [para. 80].”
Factors contributing to misogyny, including incel culture, pornography, gendered sexual violence and the need for positive male role models are also covered.
As mentioned, the new guidance is not officially introduced until September 1st 2026, but schools can begin migration to the updated version as early as they wish. Educators are encouraged to read the new RSHE guidance in full for a comprehensive understanding of what’s new.
Over the coming weeks, Smoothwall will be providing further information and guidance to help schools navigate the latest changes. In the meantime, our safeguarding experts are available to answer any questions schools may have on this topic.
Further guidance on RSHE, KCSIE and more…
To learn more or ask a question about RSHE, KCSIE 2025, or similar Department for Education guidance, contact our safeguarding experts at enquiries@smoothwall.com. We're happy to help.
