Relationships education has been compulsory for pupils in primary education since September 2020. For secondary pupils, relationships and sex education (RSE) must be taught. Health education is now compulsory in all schools too.

• In primary schools, the subjects should put in place the key building blocks for healthy, respectful relationships, focusing on family and friendships, in all contexts, including online. This will sit alongside the essential understanding of how to be healthy.
• At secondary school, teaching builds on this and develops pupils’ understanding of health, with an increased focus on risk areas such as drugs and alcohol, as well as introducing knowledge about intimate relationships and sex and how to have positive and healthy sexual relationships.

The current RSHE guidance can be found here.

There are several resources for schools to support you in the delivery of RSHE. Please see the following PDF document that lists and links to these (last updated March 2025): RSHE resources

Template withdrawal form for parents and carers

Following on from feedback from schools, we have developed a template form for you to give parents wishing to withdraw their children from sex education within RSHE. You can update this with your school's details. 

Download the template form here