About RSE

Relationship and sex education is about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, gender, sexuality and sexual health and is tailored according to age, and physical and emotional maturity of the children and young people it is delivered to.

The RSE Hub believes that RSE should be an entitlement for all children and young people and that special care should be taken to meet the needs of those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010) including sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy & maternity, race and religion. The RSE Hub uses the term RSE to emphasise the focus on relationships education. Elsewhere, for example in government guidance you may see the term SRE (Sex and Relationships Education).

Why is RSE important?

High quality RSE ensures children and young people are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills and confidence to cope with the many pressures and challenges of modern society. Learning about friendships and family in RSE are the building blocks to help children to understand themselves and others. Knowledge alone is not enough. Developing skills such as listening, negotiation and decision making means young people will be more prepared to take responsibility for, and enjoy, sexual and emotional relationships free from the unwanted consequences of sexual relationships such as sexually transmitted infections and the dangers of exploitation and abuse.

RSE makes an important contribution to health and wellbeing by supporting children and young people's ability to learn, achieve and flourish.

"The right to education includes the right to sexual education, which is both a human right in itself and an indispensable means of realising other human rights, such as the right to health, the right to information and sexual and reproductive rights."

Report to the UN General Assembly - July 2010
Item 69, paragraph 18

For more information on the importance of RSE you can download Understanding Sex & Relationships Education A Sex Education Forum briefing