RHSE guidance in schools
What is RSHE?
RSHE stands for Relationships, Sex and Health Education. It is a statutory (legally enforced) part of the school curriculum in England and Wales.
In schools, RSHE helps young people learn about:
- Healthy relationships
- Physical and mental health
- Respect for differences, including gender and identity
The Department for Education (DfE) first published RSHE guidance in 2019. It became mandatory in all schools from September 2020.
RSHE consultation process
RSHE guidance is supposed to be reviewed and updated every three years, from the first year of teaching (2020). This is done through a public consultation process, to ensure it remains relevant and effective. This involves:
- DfE drafting proposed changes to the guidance
- Submitting the draft for public consultation
- Reviewing feedback from stakeholders, including educators, parents, charities, and advocacy groups
- Publishing the final guidance based on the consultation outcomes
- Updating the curriculum so that the new guidance is implemented
Current guidance
In May 2024, the then government submitted its draft RSHE guidance for consultation, following a review of the 2019 version. The draft included controversial proposals such as:
- Age restrictions on “sensitive” topics
- A ban on teaching about gender identity
- A requirement for schools to share RSHE materials with parents for consent
These proposals received widespread criticism from over 100 organisations, who raised concerns about safeguarding, inclusion and the well-being of young people.
Following a change in government in July 2024, the draft RHSE guidance was revised. In July 2025, the DfE published the final RSHE guidance.
Final guidance
The consultation for the 2019 framework should have been done in 2023 but was delayed. In 2025 the RSHE guidance was finalised, introducing several important updates across a range of topics, including personal safety, misogyny and violence against women and girls. The 2025 guidance provides ‘greater clarity’ on several issues, particularly those relevant to Stonewall’s work:
- Family diversity: Stronger recognition of different family structures, including same-sex parents
- Legal definitions: Clearer explanation of biological sex and gender reassignment under the Equality Act 2010.
- Gender identity: Schools must not present gender identity beliefs as fact, and are discouraged from using oversimplified resources like the “Genderbread Person”.
Stonewall released a statement urging LGBTQ+ people to be at the focus of this discussion. Many students will have close family or friends who are LGBTQ+, or be part of the community themselves. Ensuring young people see themselves, and those they love, positively reflected in a RSHE curriculum that encourages equality and respect for others will help give them knowledge and skills to prepare to manage their lives now and in the future. The Sex Education Forum provides a summary overview of the guidance and our friends and colleagues at the Proud Trust, who provide training and support for schools on a day-to-day basis, have done a more detailed breakdown of the LGBTQ+ section of the guidance.
The final guidance will become statutory from September 2026, giving schools a full year to prepare and implement the changes.
Why inclusive RSHE matters
Every young person, including those who are LGBTQ+, needs to be safe and seen at school. That means providing high quality RSHE, combined with excellent pastoral help and support whenever they need it, including on issues relating to sexual orientation and gender. Research shows the urgent need for this, with 43% of LGBT+ school students being bullied in the past year, compared to 21% of non-LGBT+ students.
Against this backdrop, teachers need strong guidance, training and high quality teaching materials that are inclusive of LGBTQ+ lives if they are to provide RSHE that reflects the world we live in. Many pupils will have close family or friends who are LGBTQ+, or be part of the community themselves. Ensuring young people see themselves positively reflected in an RSHE curriculum that encourages equality and respect.
Stonewall’s commitment
As well as continuing to work with government to influence their support for all LGBTQ+ people, Stonewall will be working alongside other experts in education and RSHE to provide further guidance and support. Stonewall’s aim is to help them develop and deliver a curriculum that enables all young people to grow up with the confidence to navigate the joys and challenges of the 21st century.
