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Need-to-know: Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education guidance updated

It will be statutory from September 2026. New topics include positive male role models and AI-generated sexual imagery, along with new guidance on LGBTQ+ content.

Last reviewed on 16 July 2025
•Ref: 45508

The DfE has updated the statutory relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education guidance. Your school leaders must follow it from September 2026, but they can begin implementing it from September 2025, if they wish.

New curriculum content added

For all schools:

  • Staff should actively challenge everyday sexism, misogyny, homophobia and stereotypes
  • Pupils should learn about:
    • The links between sexism and misogyny and violence against women and girls
    • How to identify and learn from positive male role models
    • Ethical behaviour in relationships, beyond respecting boundaries and consent

Primary schools should cover:

  • Respectful relationships, boundaries, and the risks of sharing information and images online
  • Sex education in years 5 and/or year 6 (this is recommended but is not compulsory)
  • The sharing of naked images or online sexual content if it’s affecting pupils, or if your school/trust knows that pupils have seen pornography

How pornography can negatively influence sexual attitudes and behaviours How sub-cultures such as ‘incels’ might influence our understanding of sexual ethics The

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