New DfE Research Reports on RSHE
Date: 10 Oct 2024
The DfE is looking to provide further support for schools in teaching about sexual harassment, sexual violence, and violence against women and girls. The primary aim of this project was to conduct a review of evidence to inform further support for schools and to ensure that this support is based on the best possible evidence, particularly of best practice. Read the report: Teaching relationships education to prevent sexual abuse Research report
The DfE has also recently published findings about the implementation of the 2020 RSHE curriculum guidance in schools. The key findings of the research suggest that overall, the theory of change, including the activities, outputs, outcomes, and underlying assumptions, partially align with the actual practices in the schools. Schools have engaged with and implemented the new curriculum using a range of different approaches, adapting the guidance flexibly to the context of their school. So, while the findings suggest that the schools have engaged with the guidance issued by DfE and delivered the new curriculum, they may not have been doing this in the way that was assumed by DfE. The findings from the research suggest that nonetheless, the implementation of the new curriculum appeared to have been successful in terms of leaders’ and teachers’ satisfaction and confidence in delivering the new curriculum. However, further research may be required to gain a better understanding of how effective the different approaches used by schools were, the barriers that schools were still facing, and possible solutions to address them. Read more: Relationships, sex and health education Implementation of the 2020 curriculum guidance in school
