RSHE Changes 2026: Youcantknoweverything Education's Take on What Schools Need to Know (and Do Next)

From September 2026, all schools will be legally required to implement updated RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education) guidance and hold a fully up-to-date written policy. This marks the most significant shift since the 2019 guidance and reflects the realities of growing up in a far more complex, digital, and socially influenced world.

While some of the new content may feel challenging to deliver, the overall direction is clear: RSHE should be positive, inclusive, skills-based, and rooted in the real experiences of young people today.

So, what’s actually changed and what does it mean for your school?

A More Realistic, Modern RSHE Curriculum

The 2026 RSHE guidance takes a much more holistic and future-facing approach to young people’s lives.

What used to be “Online Safety” is now Online Wellbeing, reflecting a deeper understanding of how digital life impacts relationships, identity, and mental health. Pupils are now expected to learn about:

• Respectful digital relationships
• Harmful online behaviours and content
• Managing mental health in digital spaces

There’s also a stronger emphasis on health literacy and autonomy, including:

• Understanding vaccines and evidence-based health decisions
• Awareness of Gillick competency and consent to treatment
• Confidence in accessing healthcare services

New Topics Schools Must Now Address

The updated guidance introduces several new and essential areas of learning:

• AI literacy and deepfakes
• Incel ideology, misogyny, and sextortion
• Knife crime and conflict resolution
• Healthy relationship boundaries
• How to end relationships respectfully
• A positive understanding of sex and relationships

There is also a much stronger focus on tackling harmful attitudes — particularly misogyny and the influence of online subcultures — while recognising how these issues can negatively impact boys as well as girls.

For many schools, this will require a significant expansion of existing RSHE provision, alongside increased staff confidence in delivering sensitive and complex topics.

Pornography, Health, and Real-World Readiness

The new guidance goes further in addressing the realities young people face, including:

• The impact of pornography on expectations and relationships
• More detailed teaching around menstrual and gynaecological health, including conditions such as endometriosis and menopause
• Supporting pupils to navigate healthcare systems independently and confidently

LGBT+ Inclusion

The language around LGBT+ inclusion has shifted noticeably. The guidance:

• Avoids using the term “LGBT+”
• Separates discussions of sexual orientation from gender identity
• Introduces cautious language around gender identity and gender reassignment

Educators are expected to explain legal frameworks without promoting a particular viewpoint.

A Stronger Focus on Pupil Voice

One of the most positive developments in the new guidance is the emphasis on pupil-led RSHE.

Young people are no longer seen as passive recipients of information, but as active contributors to their education. Schools are encouraged to:

• Gather pupil feedback on RSHE content
• Ensure lessons reflect real pressures and experiences
• Adapt teaching to remain relevant and engaging

A Whole-School Approach to RSHE

The guidance makes it clear that RSHE should not exist in isolation. Instead, it should be embedded within a whole-school approach to wellbeing and relationships.

This means aligning RSHE with:

• Behaviour policies
• Safeguarding procedures
• Pastoral systems

When done well, this creates a consistent and supportive environment where expectations, values, and learning all reinforce each other.

Stakeholder Engagement: What It Looks Like in Practice

A key requirement of the new guidance is meaningful consultation and collaboration.

Schools should be actively engaging with:

• Pupils – ensuring the curriculum is relevant and inclusive
• Parents – maintaining transparency about content and resources
• The wider community – responding to local issues and concerns
• Staff – building confidence and subject knowledge
• School leaders and governors – demonstrating how feedback shapes provision

What Schools Should Be Doing Now

With a deadline of 1st September 2026 -

1. Review Your Current Curriculum

Identify gaps and areas that need updating, particularly around new topics.

2. Update Your RSHE Policy

Ensure your policy reflects the new statutory requirements and clearly outlines your approach.

3. Plan Staff Training (CPD)

Consider:

• Do staff feel confident delivering new content?
• Where are the knowledge gaps?
• What additional training is needed?