PSHE Parental Consultation 2026-2027

Under the statutory DfE Relationships Education, RSE, and Health Education guidance, schools must consult parents on their RSHE policy. However, consultation does not mean parents have a veto over the curriculum content.

What might RSHE / PSHE consultation look like?

Before talking to parents, ensure your PSHE / RSHE policy matches current DfE guidelines. 

You might consult with parents by:

• Sharing the draft RSHE policy with parents by email, the school website, or printed copies.
• Holding information evenings or workshops where staff explain the curriculum content, aims, and legal requirements.
• Using surveys or questionnaires to gather parent views on topics, delivery methods, and concerns.
• Creating focus groups or parent advisory panels to discuss specific issues in more depth.
• Inviting written feedback during a formal consultation period.
  Meeting with community or faith groups where relevant to the school community.
• Providing examples of teaching materials or lesson outlines so parents understand what will be taught and at what age.
• Offering opportunities for one-to-one discussions with school leaders or RSHE coordinators.
• Consulting through parent governors or the PTA.
• Publishing a summary of consultation feedback and explaining how it influenced the final policy.

In United Kingdom, statutory guidance says schools should consult parents when developing and reviewing RSHE policies, while the final decision on curriculum content remains with the school governing body or academy trust. Good consultation is usually ongoing rather than a one-off event.

An effective consultation process generally:

• starts early before decisions are finalised,
• explains what aspects are legally required,
• distinguishes between consultation and veto,
• ensures materials are accessible and inclusive,
• gives reasonable time for responses
• demonstrates how feedback has been considered.

A school might also include:

• clear procedures for withdrawing children from certain sex education elements (where legally permitted),
• explanations of safeguarding links,
• details about how RSHE supports wellbeing, online safety, consent, and healthy relationships.

When can parents withdraw from RSHE / PSHE?

Relationships and Health: Entirely compulsory; no right of withdrawal.

Sex Education (Secondary): Parents have the right to request their child be withdrawn up to three terms before they turn 16.

It is down to the school to decide what lessons, or part of, they consider to be sex education and it may be that this is very little of the curriculum.

Do we have to let parents view RSHE / PSHE resources?

The Department for Education has also stated clearly that:

Parents “should always be able to see the materials” used to teach their children, copyright restrictions do not prevent schools from sharing or showing RSHE resources to parents,and schools should not sign contracts preventing transparency.

Practically, this usually means parents can:

• view lesson slides, videos, worksheets, and schemes of work,
• attend curriculum information sessions,
• ask to inspect resources at school,
• and in some cases receive copies or access through a parent portal.

However, there are some limits:

• Parents do not have a right to veto curriculum content.
• Schools may supervise viewing of copyrighted commercial materials rather than distribute unrestricted copies.
• Schools can manage requests reasonably (for example, arranging appointments or limiting onward sharing).

 

If you should need support in writing your PSHE / RSHE policy or consulting with parents, please let us know as Youcantknoweverything Education are able to provide support services.