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<p>Both the Relationships Sex and Health Education (RSHE) statutory guidance and the
Department’s ‘Political impartiality in schools’ guidance are clear that schools should
assess external agencies thoroughly before agreeing to any work with them. This can
include challenging or asking for evidence of claims made by external agencies about
their work and how this interacts with schools’ legal duties on political impartiality.</p><p>All
schools should consult with parents on what is to be covered and ensure that they
provide examples of the resources that they plan to use. This will give parents an
opportunity to understand what will be taught and when, and to clarify how the resources
being used will support delivery of the different aspects of the RSHE curriculum. This
is particularly important where schools plan to work with external organisation and/or
use their materials.</p><p>On 31 March, the Secretary of State wrote to all schools
to set out that, under current arrangements, schools can and should share curriculum
materials with parents. The Department will consider, as part of the review of the
RSHE statutory guidance, whether any further changes are needed to reinforce the need
for transparency around RSHE materials.</p><p>In May, the Secretary of State announced
the details of the independent expert advisory panel who will advise on the review
of the RSHE curriculum. The panel will provide expert advice to the Secretary of State
on what is appropriate to be taught in RSHE and at what age.</p><p>It will remain
important that schools take full responsibility for ensuring lessons and materials
are age appropriate, suitable, and politically impartial, particularly when using
materials produced by external organisations.</p><p>Oak National Academy, the independent
provider of freely available online curriculum and lesson resources, will develop
curriculum materials to make sure every school can access high quality, compliant
RSHE resources.</p>
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