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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 the ‘personal development and wellbeing’ and ‘curriculum and teaching’ evaluation areas.

Last reviewed on 25 November 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 42650
Contents
  1. RSE covered in ‘curriculum and teaching’ and ‘personal development and wellbeing’
  2. How you'll be graded
  3. Evidence Ofsted will want to see
  4. Links with your teaching of the protected characteristics
  5. Sexual violence and harassment are also covered in ‘safeguarding’ and ‘attendance and behaviour’ 
  6. Learn more about your RSE requirements

RSE covered in ‘curriculum and teaching’ and ‘personal development and wellbeing’

Ofsted mainly look at RSE in 2 evaluation areas:

There are also links with other evaluation areas (safeguarding, attendance and behaviour, leadership and governance), which we explain later in this article.

RSE within 'curriculum and teaching'

This evaluation area considers whether for all subjects, including RSE, you:

  • Design a high-quality, ambitious curriculum for all pupils (particularly disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), those known to children’s social care, and those who may face other barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing) – find out more about understanding pupil groups)
  • Deliver the curriculum effectively across all subjects, year groups and Key Stages
  • Make sure pupils build strong foundations for accessing the curriculum and for later success, including good health and wellbeing

Inspectors will