New statutory requirements.
In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated RSHE guidance for schools. This guidance comes into effect from September 2026. Until then, schools can continue to deliver these subjects according to the 2019 guidance.
These subjects make a significant contribution to OFSTED judgements around ’Personal Development’ and also ‘Quality of Education’. Safeguarding education is also a key element of the RSHE curriculum, which supports children and young people to learn about risk and safety both on and offline.
The Education Improvement Service is currently commissioned by Public Health to support all schools in Derbyshire to implement the RSHE requirements, with specialist support available around Relationships and Sex Education and Drugs and Alcohol Education. For more information, please email eis@derbyshire.gov.uk
The PSHE Association has a range of tools on their website to support schools in planning their broader PSHE programme, (including RSHE), and preparing for September 2026.
Links
Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education guidance - Introduction (GOV.UK)
Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education - guidance for teaching (GOV.UK)
Keeping children safe in education 2025 (GOV.UK)
Social and emotional learning (Education Endowment Foundation)
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