Most of PSHE education became statutory for all schools in September 2020.

The Act introduced compulsory Relationships Education in primary schools and compulsory Relationships and Sex Education in secondary schools. Health Education (both mental and physical) became statutory from key stages 1 to 4. This brought all schools more in line with independent schools who were already required to teach PSHE.

This statutory content – now often summarised as ‘RSHE ’– covers the majority of PSHE education. And it will now be a greater focus during school inspections due to its impact on safeguarding, especially in light of Ofsted’s review into sexual harassment in schools. This review called for carefully planned and sequenced RSHE in all schools, taught by trained teachers.

Though not yet statutory, schools should still cover important non-statutory content about careers, economic wellbeing and personal safety. The PSHE education Programme of Study shows how schools can cover statutory and non-statutory content by key stage. And we have everything schools need to plan and teach PSHE lessons and PSHE topics with confidence.

The pandemic delayed full implementation but from September 2021, it became compulsory for schools to cover everything outlined in statutory ‘RSHE’ guidance (now often summarised as ‘RSHE’). This covers the majority of PSHE education. It will now be a greater focus during school inspections due to its impact on safeguarding. For example, settings should be able to provide opportunities for pupils to have difficult conversations/ discuss controversial issues in a safe environment. 

This is a great opportunity to make sure all children and young people benefit. Given the growing concerns about mental health and sexual harassment in schools, this has come at a very good time.

 

When PSHE education is delivered well, it has the potential to boost pupils’ life chances helping them to stay safe, improve their physical and emotional health and develop the character, resilience and skills they need to succeed academically and in the work place.
High quality PSHE Education can play a key role in safeguarding children and young people and managing risks such as sexual exploitation, drug and alcohol use, violent or abusive relationships, consent and online safety.