Governors’ role in monitoring relationships and sex education (RSE)

Our governance experts Brendan Hollyer and David New helped us with this article. 

Your responsibilities in RSE

As a governor, it's your responsibility to monitor and make sure that:

• All pupils make progress in achieving the expected educational outcomes
• Your school is meeting its legal obligations to teach RSE with proper resources, staffing and timetables
• RSE is well led, effectively managed and well planned
• The quality of provision is subject to regular and effective self-evaluation
• Teaching is accessible to all pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
• Parents receive clear information on the subject content and their right to withdraw their child from sex education

This is outlined in the 'Governors' section of the Department for Education's (DfE) statutory guidance. 

You're also responsible for reviewing your school's RSE policy. This includes making sure parents, staff and pupils are consulted on any changes to the policy. 

Your school’s RSE requirements 

It's compulsory for primary school pupils