RSE stands for Relationships and Sex Education. In primary schools, RSE helps pupils learn about healthy relationships, families, respect, boundaries, growing up and how to keep themselves safe.

What does RSE mean in education?

Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) is often taught as part of, or alongside, a school’s PSHE curriculum. Relationships Education has been compulsory in all primary schools in England since September 2020 (following legislation passed in 2019). Sex education is not compulsory in primary schools, although many schools choose to teach it. In 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education statutory guidance, which schools were required to implement from September 2026.

This guide explains what RSE, RSHE and PSHE mean, what schools are required to teach and what changed in the 2025 statutory guidance.

What’s the difference between RSE, RSHE and PSHE?

Schools use different names for this subject, which can sometimes be confusing.

These are all correct:

• PSHE – Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
• PSHCE – Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education
• RSE – Relationships and Sex Education
• RSHE – Relationships, Sex and Health Education

The most commonly used subject name is PSHE. At Kapow Primary, we use RSE & PSHE to reflect that Relationships and Sex Education is an integral part of a broad, high-quality curriculum.

What changed in the 2025 statutory guidance?

The updated statutory guidance builds on the existing requirements for Relationships, Sex and Health Education while providing greater clarity on what schools should teach and when.

The guidance places a stronger emphasis on:

• Greater transparency with parents
• Stronger safeguarding through age-appropriate knowledge and skills
• Clearer expectations around vocabulary and puberty education
• Online safety
• Personal safety and basic first aid
• Families and different family structures
• Healthy relationships and consent

Schools have been required to implement the updated guidance since September 2026.

Is RSE compulsory in primary schools?

Relationships Education and Health Education are compulsory in all primary schools in England. 

Sex Education beyond the National Curriculum for Science is not compulsory in primary schools. Schools can choose whether to teach additional sex education, and parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from those lessons.

What is taught in primary RSE & PSHE?

A high-quality RSE & PSHE curriculum helps children develop the knowledge and skills they need to build healthy, positive and respectful relationships.

At Kapow, the curriculum is organised into the following areas:

• My healthy self 
• Connecting with others
• The online world
• Citizenship
• Health protection
• Growing up
• Staying safe

Schools teach these curriculum areas in an age-appropriate way, building pupils’ knowledge gradually from Reception through to Year 6.

Learn more about Kapow’s RSE & PSHE primary curriculum.

Can parents withdraw their child from RSE?

Parents cannot withdraw their child from Relationships Education or Health Education because these subjects are compulsory.

Parents can request to withdraw their child from any non-statutory sex education taught outside the National Curriculum for Science. The headteacher should discuss the request with parents and explain what will be taught before a decision is made.

Parents cannot withdraw their child from statutory Relationships Education, Health Education or Science learning, including puberty. Schools are legally required to teach this content.

We’ve created a dedicated page that schools can share with parents and carers to find out more about their children’s RSE & PSHE education.

What are schools required to do for RSE?

Schools must ensure their RSE curriculum is:

• Age appropriate
• Evidence informed
• Accessible for all pupils
• Sensitive to pupils’ religious backgrounds where appropriate
• Taught in line with the statutory guidance.

Schools must also consult parents when developing or reviewing their RSE policy and publish the policy on their website.

How can schools plan RSE lessons?

A high-quality RSE curriculum should help schools meet the statutory requirements while supporting teachers to deliver lessons confidently.

When choosing an RSE curriculum, schools should consider whether it offers:

• Clear curriculum progression from Reception to Year 6
• Age-appropriate lesson content
• Teacher guidance and CPD
• Inclusive, evidence-informed resources
• Parent communication materials
• Assessment opportunities

Watch the video to learn more about Kapow’s RSE & PSHE curriculum.

Free RSE & PSHE CPD for primary schools

Kapow’s RSE & PSHE scheme of work includes integrated CPD. We also run free webinars throughout the year to help teachers stay up to date with curriculum developments and best practice in RSE & PSHE.

RSE plays an important role in helping children build healthy relationships, understand themselves and others, and stay safe both in school and beyond. With the updated statutory guidance now in place, schools should ensure their curriculum is age appropriate, evidence informed and supports teachers to deliver lessons with confidence. Whether you’re reviewing your existing provision or choosing a new curriculum, having clear progression, high-quality teaching resources and strong parent communication can help make RSE meaningful for every pupil.