How Ofsted will assess RSE

Relationships and sex education (RSE) won't be inspected on its own - instead, Ofsted will look at how you're meeting statutory requirements for RSE, and consider this within your personal development, and leadership and management.

Last reviewed on 14 April 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 42650
Contents
  1. RSE affects your 'personal development' and 'leadership and management' judgements
  2. How inspectors will make their judgements
  3. Links with your teaching of the protected characteristics
  4. Find out more about your RSE requirements

RSE affects your 'personal development' and 'leadership and management' judgements

If inspectors find your school is failing to meet its RSE obligations (see what these are for primary and secondary), they'll consider this in their personal development, and leadership and management judgements.

See paragraphs 296 to 298 of the School Inspection Handbook.

RSE within personal development

Within this judgement, inspectors will look at how you're developing pupils’ age-appropriate understanding of healthy relationships through appropriate relationships and sex education. 

On graded inspections, Ofsted wants to see that:

  • You have an RSE policy which included a consultation with parents
  • Staff are trained to assess and deliver RSE
  • You appropriately support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to learn RSE

This is explained in paragraphs 293 and 304 of the School Inspection Handbook.

Provides high-quality pastoral support. Pupils know how to eat healthily, maintain an active lifestyle and keep physically and