Time to celebrate RSE for all

Published: 28 March 2019

Today MPs approved the Draft Relationships Education, Relationships & Sex Education and Health Education (England) Regulations 2019.

We welcome this important vote, which comes following decades of campaigning by Brook for mandatory, comprehensive and inclusive RSE. We congratulate the cross-party group of MPs for working so hard to ensure this legislation passed, and the regulations and guidance approved.

Early adopter schools will begin to implement the new guidance in September 2019 with all schools expected to deliver the mandatory subjects (Relationships Education, Relationships & Sex Education and Health Education) from September 2020.

Schools are waiting to hear whether Government funding will be available them for training and curriculum development; and what plans they have for boosting the RSE workforce through initial teacher training and new specialist career pathways.

Lisa Hallgarten, Brook Head of Policy and Public Affairs says:

“The statutory guidance is a vital step in increasing the reach and quality of RSE in schools, and provides a good starting point for schools that have struggled to deliver RSE.

“We hope that schools delivering ambitious and effective programmes which exceed the new statutory minimum requirements will continue to provide the comprehensive curriculum that young people need.

“We are pleased that the guidance calls for RSE that is inclusive of LGBT children and those with special educational needs and disabilities. Schools see the impact of bullying and discrimination on young people’s health and wellbeing and know that inclusion and equality are not up for debate. We will continue to work with schools to deliver high quality, inclusive RSE that is compliant with equalities legislation and good safeguarding practice.’

Brook will continue to support schools, helping them translate the guidance into good practice through:

• Free online training for teachers through Brook Learn
• Free downloadable resources for professionals
• Training days for teachers
• Support for schools with curriculum, policy development, and working with parents
• Direct delivery in schools (Brook currently works with 15% of secondary schools in England)

More information about our full range of education and training programmes.

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
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