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RSE: handling objections from parents/carers

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

Last reviewed on 3 September 2025See 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' right to withdraw their child from sex education
  7. Dealing with parent/carer protests or campaigns

The DfE has updated the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) guidance, which you must follow from September 2026. You can begin implementing it earlier if you wish (this is laid out on page 4 of the DfE's consultation outcome, and was confirmed to us by a DfE representative), or you can continue to follow the current RSHE guidance until 31 August 2026.

Proactively engage with parents/carers to avoid objections

Your RSE curriculum and policy The resources you use to teach RSE 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 RSE in the way that you have and why you think