RSHE
You may already be aware that in July, the DfE (Department for Education) published new statutory guidance on RSHE (Relationships, Sex and Health Education), which must be fully implemented in schools by September 2026.
This replaces the 2019 version that schools have worked with in recent years. The new statutory guidance has many key changes which are summarised below:
Theme | 2019 Guidance | July 2025 Guidance |
|---|---|---|
Online safety | General coverage | Detailed content added on financial harms such as gaming monetisation, scams, fraud, privacy, consent, location settings, digital safeguarding and gaming addiction risks. |
Personal Safety | Implicit in safeguarding | New statutory strand: roads, railways, level-crossings, water, public spaces. |
Body knowledge | Encouraged | Now explicitly required for children to be taught correct scienfitic language for the body including genitalia to support safeguarding. |
Puberty & reproduction | Broad guidance | Clearer guidance states that puberty and reproduction must be taught according to biological sex. Gender identity does not need to be taught, and if referenced must be factual and age‑appropriate. |
Misogyny & violence | Minimal | Teaching children their right to feel safe and that violence is never acceptable. |
Mental health | General wellbeing | Now explicit statutory content on change and loss, including bereavement, and the different ways people may grieve, loneliness and emotional wellbeing. |
Family diversity | General inclusivity | Explicit reference to recognising multiple diverse family structures including single‑parent families, same‑sex parents, kinship carers and foster and adoptive families. |
Digital safeguarding | Basic | Includes AI-generated deepfakes, harmful online influencers, toxic digital subcultures and online exploitation. |
All of which are designed to equip pupils with skills for real-world challenges.
In light of this, our existing RSHE policy has been updated to reflect the changes and now includes PSHE (Personal, Social Health and Economic Education) due to many cross overs between the two subjects; enabling you to have a greater idea of what we cover in school to support each of these key areas.
The revised policy is now available for parents and carers to read. Any changes, new content you can find highlighted in yellow.
We are opening a consultation period to gather your feedback.
We warmly invite you to review the updated policy and share any comments or questions you may have. Your views are important to us, and they will help ensure our approach continues to support all children effectively and sensitively.
Please submit any feedback via postbox@holytrinitydartford.co.uk FAO Mrs Hudson by 4pm on 27th March 2026.
Here at Holy Trinity, we aim to promote personal wellbeing and development through a comprehensive taught programme of Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE) that gives our pupils the knowledge, understanding, attitudes and practical skills to live healthy, safe, productive and fulfilled lives, both now and in the future.
We recognise that our pupils are growing up in an increasingly complex world and are living their lives both on and offline. We recognise that while this presents many exciting and positive opportunities, it also presents challenges and risks. Through our teaching, we recognise that our pupils must know how to be safe and healthy and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.
Below you can find our PSHE, including RSHE Policy. This includes our Aims and Values, the considerations we have made as a diverse Church School, information on our curriculum content and what rights you have as a parent. Furthermore, you will find the Guide for Parents of understanding the RSHE curriculum, which we hope will help to enhance your knowledge on the RSHE curriculum. If you would like a paper copy of this policy, please do let us know.
All PSHE and RSHE teaching will take place in a safe learning environment and is underpinned by our school ethos and values.
As a school community, we are committed to working in partnership with parents. If you would like to find out more, discuss concerns, ask questions or give feedback on the policy, please do get in touch. You can email us at postbox@holytrinitydartford.co.uk