Introduction: Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education
Published 25 June 2019
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2019
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-personal-social-health-and-economic-pshe-and-relationships-and-sex-education-rse/introduction-relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education
Introduction
From 2020, the following subjects will become compulsory in applicable schools in England.
- relationship education in primary schools
- relationship and sex education in secondary schools
- health education in state funded primary and secondary schools
These subjects will support all young people to be happy, healthy and safe. Equipping them for life as an adult in British society.
Some primary schools currently choose to teach sex education. This is not compulsory and will not become compulsory as part of the new curriculum.
School must publish policies for these subjects online and make them available to anyone free of charge. Schools should also share examples of resources, for example books and information leaflets, to help them engage and consult with parents.
Some parts of the new curriculum, as with the current curriculum, are compulsory. These are part of the national curriculum for science. Parents can withdraw their children from all other parts of the sex education lessons if they want.
Early adopter schools
A number of schools have volunteered to become early adopters of the new curriculum and they will support the development of our guidance.
Schools wanting to be early adopters can register their interest.
Read the Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education guidance.