By Mark Brooks (Director of Policy and Communications, CPRMB)
29 July 2025
Earlier this month the government published new “Relationships and sex education (RSE) and health education” guidance described as RSHE. It is an update from the 2019 guidance and comes into effect on 1 September 2026. Over 23,000 parents, people, schools and organisations took part in the consultation which was started by the previous government.
The update broadens the scope of the subject matter. The main topics for secondary-age children are families; respectful relationships; online safety and awareness; being safe; and, intimate and sexual relationships.
Given the 2019 debates around teenage boys at that time and in the immediate years after, and other cultural drivers such as the series Adolescence, there was a fear that the new guidance would move back from a crucial 2019 passage (that members of the Men and Boys Coalition charity had worked on with the Department for Education):
“However, males can also be the victims of sexual violence and it can also happen in same-sex relationships. It is, however, essential that assumptions are not made about the behaviour of boys and young men and that they are not made to feel that this behaviour is an inevitable part of being male; most young men are respectful of young women and each other.” [Para 32]
Happily this has not been the case. Indeed in some senses the new guidance can be seen as a progression from the previous guidance.
Firstly, it takes a number of inclusive and balanced positions, that reinforce the view that teenage boys are not inherently a problem. It is the impact of the adult worlds around them that has a negative impact on some. The guidance includes:
“However, anyone can be affected by sexual violence and teachers should avoid language which stigmatises boys or suggests that boys or men are always perpetrators or that girls or women are always victims” [para 79]
“Where misogynistic ideas are expressed at school, staff should challenge the ideas, rather than the person expressing them.” [para 80]
“Pupils should have opportunities to develop positive conceptions of masculinity and femininity, including how to identify and learn from positive male role models. It is important for pupils to understand that most boys and young men are respectful to girls and young women and each other.” [para 81]
“Teachers should encourage pupils to consider how this content may be harmful to both men and women, while avoiding stigmatising or perpetuating harmful stereotypes about boys.” [para 82]
“However, in some cases, such as when a school identifies a specific need, the school may consider that separating classes by sex is the best way to create a safe space for discussion of a particular topic. This should be done in a way that avoids stigmatising boys or making girls feel like they will inevitably be victims of abusive behaviour or that it is their responsibility to protect themselves.” [para 83]
The Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boy (CPRMB) is interested to see the practical impact of the new guidance in schools and other learning environments. Will boys feel understood and valued? Will girls too? Time will tell.
The reference to positive male role models is important too. It requires a real policy push to turn that into reality including recruiting more teachers and genuine consideration of the Trusted Adult Guarantee proposal.
Lastly, there is also a broad section on suicide prevention which given that 149 young men and boys aged 15-19 died by suicide in 2023 (45 young women and girls too) is an important step forward. Eating disorders are featured too.
The welcome opening paragraph in the press release should act as the guiding principle on these issues including for organisations being brought into schools (my emphasis):
“The statutory guidance has a new focus on helping boys identify positive role models, and challenge myths about women and relationships that are spread online in the ‘manosphere’ – without stigmatising boys for being boys.”
Overall, the guidance is a positive and significant upgrade – striking the right balance.