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Relationships and sex education (RSE): handling objections from parents

With updated RSE requirements coming into force in September 2026, you might have to deal with new complaints from parents/carers about your RSE curriculum. Learn when it's your board's job to step in and how to handle the most common complaints with confidence.

Last reviewed on 19 August 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 36812
Contents
  1. Your headteacher will handle the vast majority of concerns
  2. The complaints process
  3. Proactively engage with parents/carers to avoid objections
  4. Reassure parents that their views are respected
  5. Explain that parts of the RSE curriculum are mandatory
  6. Explain parents' right to withdraw
  7. Handle faith-based or cultural objections sensitively but firmly
  8. Recognise when to end the conversation

The Department for Education (DfE) has updated the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) guidance, which your school must follow from September 2026.

Your school can begin implementing the guidance sooner (this is laid out on page 4 of the DfE's consultation outcome, and was confirmed to us by a DfE representative) or continue to follow the current RSHE guidance until 31 August 2026.

Get a summary of the updated requirements here.

Your headteacher will handle the vast majority of concerns

But there may be occasions where parents or carers don’t feel they’re being heard. They may:

Ultimately, it might be that they find no amount of reassurance from the headteacher satisfactory, and want to make a formal