Organisations, pledge support for high-quality rshe
A partnership between Brook and Sex Education Forum
Why we are seeking your support
RSHE was made a mandatory topic in 2017 with mass cross-party support. In 2019, 538 MPs voted in favour of the statutory guidance: guidance that was informed by, and had widespread support from, organisations across health, education, safeguarding and faith groups.
The draft revised RSHE guidance was published on 16 May 2024. This draft is not underpinned by research or evidence and fails to acknowledge what children and young people tell us they want and need. Should the proposals go ahead, this guidance would create a culture of fear and stigma around key topics that are intrinsic to the comprehensive relationships and sex education needed to keep children and young people safe and healthy.
High-quality RSHE is needed now more than ever
The need for inclusive, high-quality RSHE has not gone away. Many of the problems it addresses have become more acute including safeguarding children online and off; young people’s poor mental and sexual health; exposure to extreme pornography; misogyny, sexual bullying and harassment; and increasing threats to LGBT+ people.
Children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world. The evidence is clear that good RSHE is vital to keep them safe, healthy and thriving.
High-quality RSHE is:
It safeguards children in today’s digital era. It helps them to understand healthy relationships and consent, recognise abuse and ask for help; and reduces gender-based violence.
It is sequenced to prepare children and young people as they move through puberty, adolescence and into adulthood. It is responsive to the questions children ask, and to current and emerging issues.
It celebrates diversity and is relevant to all students, including those who are disabled and neurodivergent, LGBT+, and from a range of cultural and faith backgrounds.
It is informed by research and by children and young people’s experiences, and delivers scientifically accurate information from reliable sources.
It celebrates healthy relationships, not just addressing risk and harm. It engages with boys and young men and helps young people to aspire to relationships that are supportive, caring and pleasurable.
Alongside developing essential knowledge, it facilitates open discussion and plays a vital role in helping children develop crucial life skills.
It is taught by trained, well supported teachers and specialists.
It involves parents and carers who are informed about the development of the curriculum, and consulted to ensure RSHE meets the needs of families.
Find out more about the evidence for inclusive RSHE
What needs to happen next to improve the quality of RSHE?
Investment in training for teachers through initial teacher training and continuing professional development is vital. Teachers who are trained, skilled and knowledgeable will be the key to significant improvement in the quality and consistency of RSHE.
The revised guidance should support schools to:
- Continue and complete the implementation of a comprehensive RSHE curriculum
- Focus on the development of inter-personal skills from early years alongside RSHE knowledge
- Use evidence – school level, local and national data, and consultation with young people – to inform the timing and sequencing of the RSHE curriculum
- Make best use of external resources and organisations to complement in-school expertise
- Improve involvement of parents and carers
- Ensure RSHE is inclusive of, and relevant to, all children from all families
Ways to get involved
1. Sign our online pledge
We [name of organisation] stand up for high-quality, inclusive Relationships Sex and Health Education (RSHE) that empowers children and young people to thrive.
We stand for RSHE that is:
- Protective – keeping children and young people safe in today’s digital era
- Developmentally appropriate – and responsive to the questions children ask, and to current and emerging issues
- Empowering – celebrating healthy relationships, not just addressing risk and harm
- Inclusive – Relevant to all students and reflective of the whole community
- Evidence-based – informed by research and by children and young people’s experiences
- Effective – focusing on life skills and open discussion as well as factual knowledge
- Professional – taught by trained teachers and supported by specialists
- Engaged with parents and carers – to ensure RSE meets the needs of families
Pledge your support
Join the 148 organisations that have pledged their support
We may get in touch with you to follow up about your submission, and we reserve the right not to add your name to the list if we cannot verify your identity.
2. Share this page
Share your support on social media using the hashtag #RSHEpledge
Post examples
We [name of organisation] stand for RSHE that is: Protective; Developmentally appropriate; Empowering; Inclusive; Evidence-based; Effective; Taught by trained teachers; Engaged with parents & carers. Pledge to support high-quality RSHE today: rse.brook.org.uk #RSHEPledge
We [name of organisation] stand up for high-quality, inclusive Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) that empowers children and young people to thrive. Sign the @BrookCharity & @sex_ed_forum #RSHEPledge to help protect RSHE in schools! rse.brook.org.uk
signatories
148 organisations have pledged their support
Our supporters include:
