The updated RSHE guidance published in July 2025 includes some very useful information for schools beyond the teaching requirements. One thing that really stands out are the guiding principles to delivering high quality relationships, sex and health education. Whilst in many ways these are not new and have been recommended by PSHE experts for a long time, it is extremely helpful to have them published in national guidance to be used by all schools.

The seven guiding principles are:-

• Engagement with pupils
• Engagement and transparency with parents
• Positivity
• Careful sequencing
• Relevant and responsive
• Skilled delivery of participative education
• Whole school approach

I would suggest that schools use these to support them in their planning process for implementing the new guidance. It is also important to keep coming back to them regularly when monitoring and evaluating your provision.

As a starting point I would suggest reading the details of each of these in the guidance and then rating where you think you are as a school with each point. You could also think about what evidence you have to support your judgement.

I will be coming back to some of these to look at them in more detail in future blogs. They are also a key part of training and support I am offering. Please get in touch to find out more.