Relationships, sex and health education independent review
An independent expert panel to advise the Education Secretary on age appropriateness within relationships, sex and health education (RSHE).
Role
The panel will advise the Secretary of State for Education on what is appropriate to teach in relationships and sex education and health education, and at what age, to ensure all content is factual and age appropriate.
The panel will:
- identify the topics in the RSHE curriculum which would benefit from age limits
- consider the evidence collected by Ofsted on RSHE provision, to work out where greater clarity would be beneficial for schools
- engage openly with a range of experts and stakeholders, including schools and parents
- be updated on evidence gathering conducted by Ofsted and wider departmental engagement, including where new topics may be introduced into the curriculum. The Department for Education secretariat will facilitate this, and ensure the panel’s thinking informs the wider review where appropriate
This advice will inform changes to statutory guidance on relationships and sex education and health education.
Outputs and timescale
The Chair will submit written advice and recommendations to the department, setting out which age restriction to apply to which topics, by September 2023.
The group started in June 2023 and its work will run until September 2023.
Terms of reference
Read the .
Meeting dates
Regular meetings until recommendations are made by September 2023.
Membership
Current members:
- Lesley Regan (Chair), Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London and the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador
- Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Star Academies
- Helena Brothwell, Regional Director of School Improvement for David Ross Academy Trust
- Alasdair Henderson, barrister specialising in public law, human rights and equality law
- Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England