Implementation of relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education 2020 to 2021
Updated 13 September 2021
Applies to England
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The Department for Education is committed to supporting all schools in their preparations to deliver relationships education, relationships and sex education and health education.
As schools prepare to implement the subjects, schools have flexibility over how they discharge their duty within the first year of compulsory teaching, which begins on 1 September 2020.
Schools that are ready to teach these subjects and have met the requirements set out in the statutory guidance, including those relating to engagement with parents and carers, are encouraged to begin delivering teaching from 1 September 2020, or whenever is practicable to do so within the first few weeks of the new school year.
Schools that are not ready to teach the new subjects, or are unable to adequately meet the requirements because of the challenging circumstances, should aim to start preparations to deliver the new curriculum as soon as possible and start teaching the new content by at least the start of the summer term 2021.
If a school is unable to start teaching until the start of the summer term 2021, they will need to decide how much of the content they will be able to cover. They should still be able to show how they will cover the whole curriculum in the future.
To ensure teaching begins as soon as possible, schools are encouraged to take a phased approach (if needed) when introducing these subjects.
Schools should consider prioritising curriculum content on mental health and wellbeing, as knowing how to support your own and others’ wellbeing will be important as pupils return to schools.
As the subjects will be compulsory from 1 September 2020, the new parental right to withdraw provision will apply.