The Department for Education released
new RSE statutory guidance in July 2025, marking a key moment in the delivery of Relationships, Sex and Health Education across schools in England and others following the British curriculum framework. The update follows a full government review and addresses concerns around age-appropriateness, safeguarding and the influence of digital content on pupils.
This revised guidance strengthens clarity on what schools (both Primary and Secondary) must teach, when it should be taught and how to ensure pupils are supported in safe and evidence based teaching practices. Schools have until September 2026 to review and update their provision in line with these expectations.
In July 2025, the Department for Education published its updated RSHE guidance following a full government review and national consultation. The review was launched amid growing public discussion around safeguarding, age-appropriate teaching and how sensitive topics such as sex education, gender identity and online safety (amongst a few main topics of focus) were being addressed in schools.
“We propose to undertake a technical review every three years and a full content review every six years. The technical review will update any factual inaccuracies and new legislation but not otherwise seek to make changes to the content that schools have to teach.”
— DfE RSHE Guidance, 2025
Although the updated RSE guidance has been published, it does not become mandatory for schools to comply with the new statutory RSE guidance until the academic year from September 2026. This gives schools time to review their curriculum, consult with stakeholders and ensure all teaching resources align with the new standards.
Curriculum providers like
Muse Wellbeing are already updated and aligned to meet PSHE and RSE education in Primary schools to meet RSE government guidance 2025
The RSE 2025 update builds on the statutory framework introduced in 2019, which made relationships education (RE) mandatory in primary schools and relationships and sex education (RSE) mandatory in secondary schools. The new guidance is more detailed and more directive, particularly in areas where schools previously had wide discretion.
For primary schools, the focus remains on Relationships and Health Education, while sex education remains non-compulsory. However, key clarifications now guide how topics like gender, puberty and digital safety should be taught.
For secondary schools, there is now greater emphasis on biological accuracy, consent and protecting students from harmful ideologies or inappropriate online content. The new guidance also strengthens the expectation for parental engagement and curriculum transparency.
Statutory guidance sets out what schools must do by law. It is not optional and schools are expected to follow it in full unless there is a clear reason not to, which must be justifiable and exceptional.
The new 2025 guidance introduces clearer expectations on what should be taught, when it should be introduced and how to support parental confidence.
- Gender identity teaching must not present contested views as fact
- Biological sex should be taught clearly and accurately in all year groups
- Puberty must be introduced before changes occur - usually in Years 4 and 5
- Stronger online safety content is now required in both Primary and Secondary phases
- Parents must be consulted and informed clearly about curriculum content
- RSE teaching must be evidence-based, age-appropriate and safeguarding minded
The 2025 guidance strengthens and clarifies several areas that were left open to interpretation in the 2019 version. The 2019 framework provided an excellent foundation for RSE (taught within the wider subject of PSHE) and has developed significantly over recent years as schools have embedded best practice. While the foundational structure of relationships, health and sex education remains, the new guidance closes gaps and ensures consistency across schools.
RSE 2025 gives more specific direction on what not to teach - particularly in relation to gender identity. The guidance now states that schools should avoid teaching contested views and must present biological facts clearly. Puberty teaching should occur before the onset of changes, not during or after. There is a renewed emphasis on safeguarding and transparent communication with parents.
Secondary schools are now required to ensure RSE is biologically accurate and ideologically neutral. Teachers must avoid presenting personal or political views as fact. There is more guidance on protecting students from harmful online material and updated expectations around how schools address topics like pornography, grooming and unhealthy relationships.
Muse Wellbeing has already completed a full curriculum review to align with the new RSE statutory guidance. We’re proud to say that many of the 2025 updates were already reflected in our curriculum, thanks to our commitment to high standards and continuous review. Our weekly PSHE and RSE lessons for Years 1 to 6 are built around safeguarding, biological clarity and age-appropriate learning that support whole student wellbeing.
We ensure that children are prepared for puberty with confidence and clarity, with full coverage in Years 4 to 6. We also support schools with transparent communication tools to help engage families and meet new requirements for curriculum sharing and consultation
.
Explore our updated curriculum and learning content within the Muse Portal to power up wellbeing, RSE and PSHE education in your school today.
