Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE)

Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) is now compulsory for all schools, and we want teaching staff to be equipped with the qualifications and resources to deliver this essential subject effectively within the broader curriculum.

It has never been more important to support your pupils’ wellbeing and understanding of healthy relationships.

Delivering a structured programme of RSHE using our qualifications can help you to meet Ofsted expectations in line with the education inspection framework (EIF). It will also give your pupils valuable recognition of their achievements in this subject area.

New statutory guidance for RSHE

In July 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) released new curriculum guidance for RSHE, intended for teaching from September 2026. This new guidance will replace the 2019 version, modernising and strengthening the topics that RSHE covers. The guidance places greater focus on online wellbeing, understanding AI and healthy relationships. It also introduces content on misogyny and sexual violence.

NCFE’s RSHE qualifications will be updated to reflect this new guidance, so they remain relevant and current. The updated qualifications will be available for delivery during the 2026/27 academic year, with further information to come.

How can it be delivered in the classroom?

Split into five units, each designed to meet the needs of a specific year group, the qualifications cover all of the key topics and themes that need to be taught from Year 7 through to Year 11.

Level 2 Certificate in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (168 GLH)

Full RSHE suite with all 5 units

Level 1 Award in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (72 GLH)

Level 2 Award in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (96 GLH)

Our RSHE qualifications come with a full scheme of work for each unit, plus sample workbooks so that you have everything you need to help increase your pupils’ understanding and awareness in this vital subject.

We’ve also partnered with Jigsaw and iAchieve, so you can purchase high-quality resources to support your delivery.

Introduction to RSHE webinar

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The Sex Education Forum was delighted to work with NCFE on the development of the RSHE suite of qualifications to help ensure that schools are able to meet the full breadth of learning stipulated in the government guidance.

Lucy Emmerson, Director, Sex Education Forum

RSHE - a guide for parents

Download this handy guide that covers your rights as a parent, compulsory RSHE content, the content of sex education and much more.

Download guide

Supporting SEND learners

SEND learners may be more vulnerable to the specific challenges RSHE can help to address. Meadowcroft School works specifically with SEND learners and is using our RSHE qualifications to ensure its young learners can build happy and healthy lives, inside and outside of the classroom.

View case study

Is your school ready for RSHE?

High quality PSHE provision in school, which now includes RSHE, has been shown to have a positive effect on learner wellbeing and academic attainment during school and over the rest of their lives. Jan Lever, Director of Jigsaw PSHE, gives her advice on teaching compulsory RSHE.

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