In the light of the Department for Education draft Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health education guidance which has been published on the 16th May 2024, we felt it was important to reach out, to clarify and support our schools in navigating some of the surrounding messages.
We would like to clarify that today’s publication is draft guidance and will be followed by a period of consultation (closes 11th July). You are all invited , by the DfE to engage with this consultation to ensure your views are heard.
As an LA, we will be reviewing the full guidance, once it is published, (later this year) to understand the implications We will ensure that the service supports you in understanding any changes and required changes in a comprehensive manner.
It's important to highlight that changes do not need to be made straight away. Any new guidance will come later in the year along with time allowed for implementing any changes. Schools should continue following the current statutory guidance and supporting our children and young people through quality, age appropriate PSHE education.
As always, the priority will be ensuring children and young people’s safeguarding. The current guidance was introduced in 2020 and is based on robust evidence on what is required from education to keep children safe. It had support from across the political spectrum and consensus from national safeguarding bodies, medical colleges, parents, teachers, and young people on its value.
Its introduction has had a positive impact on preventative, protective education in schools and PSHE education has had more focus and rigour in schools as a result. Standards are improving and we continue to work with you to ensure that all schools are confident in teaching high quality RSHE.
We have a range of training available to support WSCC schools and teachers via our fully funded E4S platform as well as training available via WSSFS. WSCC Education for Safeguarding (e4swsccalpha.co.uk)
If you have any questions about the draft guidance, current guidance or wider RSHE please contact Ali Hannant