Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
19h ago

England Unveils RSHE Overhaul to Combat Online Misogyny and Incel Culture

The overhaul replaces fixed age bans with a teacher-led framework introducing age-appropriate lessons on misogyny, digital risks, women’s health

Image
Image
BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 24: A primary school pupil at the Bridge Learning Campus completes her school work in a classroom at the school on February 24, 2010 in Bristol, England. The 40million GBP campus in Hartcliffe, Bristol, was constructed as part of the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme and opened in January 2009. It now offers over 800 pupils a life long provision of learning from nursery, reception and primary to secondary and post-16 education. As the UK gears up for one of the most hotly contested general elections in recent history it is expected that that the economy, immigration, the NHS and education are likely to form the basis of many of the debates. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Overview

  • The Department for Education published new statutory RSHE guidance on July 15 mandating secondary schools to teach about incel culture, AI deepfakes and the links between pornography and misogyny.
  • The updated framework removes the Conservative ban on sex education for under-nines and recommends primary schools cover it in Years 5 and 6 with discretion to start earlier when in pupils’ best interests.
  • Health education is broadened to include fertility, endometriosis, spiking, methanol poisoning and age-appropriate suicide prevention developed with mental health professionals.
  • Teachers are urged to highlight positive role models—citing figures like the Lionesses and Gareth Southgate—to promote healthy conceptions of femininity and masculinity and to flexibly address harmful content pupils encounter.
  • Schools may adopt the guidance from September 2025 and must comply by September 2026, and parents have the right to review all RSHE curriculum materials on request.