By Emmanuel Babafemi
July 31, 2026
The UK Government has published updated statutory guidance on Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), and Health Education ahead of the September 2026 school term.
The new guidance introduces measures aimed at strengthening safeguarding, promoting healthy relationships, and ensuring age appropriate teaching in schools.
The guidance, issued by the Department for Education, will become statutory from 1 September 2026, giving schools time to review their policies and prepare for implementation before the start of the new academic year.
According to the Department for Education, the revised framework places greater emphasis on helping children and young people understand healthy and respectful relationships, consent, online safety, mental wellbeing, and the importance of recognising inappropriate or abusive behaviour.
The guidance also requires schools to involve parents more closely in the development of their Relationships and Sex Education policies, while ensuring that teaching materials are evidence based and suitable for pupils’ ages and stages of development.
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The Department for Education said the changes are intended to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions, build positive relationships, and stay safe both online and offline.
The updated guidance was published ahead of the September school term to give schools sufficient time to familiarise staff, review teaching resources, and align their curriculum with the new statutory requirements before they come into force.
Source: UK Department for Education, Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education statutory guidance, and Evangelical Alliance UK.
