Concerns about RSHE materials

RSHE is currently in the spotlight due to questions raised by a group of MPs and in the media about the content of some teaching materials.

Though problematic materials do exist — thankfully, they are in the minority, and it’s rarer still that these materials are used in practice. This is contrary to the impression given by some of the claims and coverage however, so we wanted to share this message of reassurance and encouragement considering the importance of your work to children’s safeguarding and wellbeing.

We know how much importance so many of you place on age and developmental appropriateness, alongside the need to avoid, for example, being instructional in harmful behaviours, or biased. So like unions ASCL and NAHT, a landscape of unsafe or inappropriate practice is certainly not one we recognise, and suggestions to the contrary risk undermining PSHE’s value to safeguarding and health. When rare instances of concerning materials or practice do occur, it is usually due to a lack of training or confidence — which is why we are adamant that anyone teaching PSHE education, including RSHE, must understand the fundamentals of safe, effective practice. This way we can avoid a culture of grab-and-go when it comes to lesson plans and ensure those materials that are truly inappropriate for whatever reason do not reach the classroom. We’re doing a lot of work with the ITE sector at the moment to help ensure every teacher enters the profession with this understanding.

We also wanted to assure you about the rigour with which we approach creating, and quality assuring, teaching materials to ensure their compliance as well as effectiveness and appropriateness. For example, as part of organisational due diligence, in 2022 we commissioned a KC-led legal review of our current resources, guidance and policies related to gender identity to check compliance with relevant laws, regulations and guidance (including the Equality Act 2010, the Education Act 1996 and the Department for Education statutory and non-statutory guidance). The KC concluded that our materials are lawful, compliant with government guidance and that a court would be likely to find them well balanced, clear, comprehensible and inclusive. 

We’re aware too that recent coverage may increase the number of concerns raised by parents. Though this may seem daunting, it also provides an opportunity for constructive communication and you may find our guidance on communicating with parents helpful in this respect. It’s always best to take a ‘transparency first’ approach, because parents’ fears are commonly allayed when they understand the safeguarding and wellbeing rationale for covering particular content, and the sensible nature of resources you’ve chosen. We have therefore always been very happy for you to show parents any of our materials within the context of a face-to-face meeting, allowing you to fully explain your rationale.

Of course this isn't always convenient for parents, so we have also created parent/carer copies of PSHE Association RSE teaching materials. Members can share these copies with parents/carers at their school via email should they request to see any of our lesson plans used to help teach their children. More information here.

To help you further we will be updating and expanding our guidance on choosing resources and external providers over the coming weeks, which includes practical advice on how to choose high-quality, safe and effective materials and visitors/contributors. Watch this space, and keep up the crucially important work you’re doing to safeguard your pupils in the meantime.