Whole School Approach

To help school leaders plan and develop the RSHE curriculum, the DfE has produced guidance on:

• curriculum planning
• creating an inclusive classroom
• developing a policy for the new curriculum
• adapting an existing programme of study

Click here for the guidance:

Plan your relationships, sex and health curriculum

Schools must engage parents and carers about the relationships and sex education curriculum at the planning stage. It is important that schools set out their approach to the subjects fully and clearly. See engaging parents with relationships education policy for more information. Although aimed at primary schools, much of this guide is applicable to secondary schools.

The DfE has provided guides for parents to help schools communicate with parents/carers about the new curriculum and what it includes.

When planning the curriculum, state-funded schools should be mindful of the requirement under the Human Rights Act 1998 – to respect the right of parents to ensure education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions. All schools should be mindful of their duties under the Equality Act 2010.

In special schools and for some pupils with special educational needs or disability (SEND) in mainstream schools, schools may need to tailor content and teaching to meet the specific needs of pupils at different developmental stages.

For pupils with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, it may be appropriate to link lesson outcomes with statutory preparing for adulthood outcomes. See SEND code of practice, section 8 for more information about preparing for adulthood.

For pupils with SEND, it is important that teaching within this curriculum area is:

• sensitive
• age-appropriate
• developmentally appropriate
• delivered with reference to the law