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RSHE: handling objections from parents/carers

With updated RSHE requirements coming into force in September 2026, you might have to deal with new complaints from parents/carers about your RSHE curriculum. Learn how to proactively engage with parents/carers to minimise objections and handle the most common concerns.

Updated
on 23 August 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 39570
Contents
  1. Proactively engage with parents/carers to avoid objections
  2. 1. Listen to and acknowledge objections 
  3. 2. Clarify the curriculum and your policy
  4. 3. Address specific objections
  5. Example response template (primary and secondary)
  6. Parents/carers' right to withdraw their child from sex education
  7. Dealing with parent/carer protests or campaigns

Proactively engage with parents/carers to avoid objections

The new guidance focuses on proactively engaging parents and being transparent about what you teach in RSHE. Be upfront with all parents/carers early on, about:

  • Your RSHE curriculum and policy
  • The resources you use to teach RSHE
  • The requirements you have to follow:
    • Secondary schools must provide relationships, sex and health education (RSHE)
    • Primary schools must provide relationships and health education. They aren't required to provide sex education, but the DfE recommends it for years 5 and/or 6
  • Why you've chosen to teach RSHE in the way that you have and why you think it's important

You should also:

  • Listen to parents/carers' feedback
  • Let parents/carers know you've taken their feedback on board

This will likely save you time and effort in the long-run and minimise objections.

Note that parents/carers can request to view all curriculum materials you use to teach