24 Jul RSHE Curriculum Changes 2026: What Primary School Staff Need to Know (and How Moore Teachers Can Help)
The UK government has announced important updates to the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, coming into effect in September 2026. These changes affect all primary schools in England and will reshape how teachers and support staff deliver lessons on mental health, emotional literacy, safeguarding, and legal definitions of sex and gender.
At Moore Teachers, we work exclusively with primary schools, so we understand how vital it is that your team is prepared, supported, and resourced for change. In this article, we explain what’s changing, how it will affect your staff—and how we can help your school through the transition.
What Are the 2026 RSHE Curriculum Changes?
The updated RSHE guidance aims to:
- Clarify the difference between everyday emotions and mental health conditions
- Strengthen digital safeguarding content (e.g. sextortion, deepfakes, incel ideology)
- Introduce legal definitions of “sex” and “gender reassignment” under the Equality Act
- Encourage age-appropriate delivery and parental engagement
Mental Health & Emotional Literacy in Primary Classrooms
What’s Changing:
Pupils will be taught that feeling sad, worried or stressed is normal, helping reduce over-diagnosis or mislabelling of mental health problems.
Impact on Teachers:
- Lessons will require more nuanced discussions about feelings
- Staff will need clear boundaries between emotional education and safeguarding concerns
🛠 How Moore Teachers Can Help:
We supply qualified, experienced primary professionals with training in:
- Emotional literacy and PSHE
- Behaviour management and SEND
- Pupil well-being and pastoral support
Need a TA to support emotional regulation activities or group work? We’ve got you covered.
Online Safety & Safeguarding in RSHE
What’s New:
Primary schools are being encouraged to address advanced safeguarding topics in KS2, including:
- Sextortion and online grooming
- AI deepfakes and impersonation
- Harmful ideologies (e.g. misogyny, incels)
- Exposure to pornography and inappropriate online content
What This Means for Your Staff:
- Staff will need training to handle disclosures sensitively
- More PSHE time may be needed for Year 5/6
- Schools may require resource and policy updates
🛠 Moore Teachers provides reliable cover so your staff can attend CPD, review safeguarding policies, and plan curriculum updates without disruption to learning.
Teaching Legal Definitions: Sex & Gender Reassignment
The updated RSHE curriculum will include age-appropriate teaching of protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, focusing on facts—not ideology.
Considerations for SLT & Staff:
- Ensure consistent terminology and delivery
- Communicate clearly with parents and governors
- Prepare teachers for complex questions from pupils
🛠 Moore Teachers can supply interim staff or long-term cover, giving your permanent staff time to lead training, update school policies, and hold parent briefings.
Why Moore Teachers is the Preferred Primary Education Agency
Moore Teachers is a trusted specialist supply agency for primary schools in Hertfordshire, Essex, and surrounding areas. Here’s why schools rely on us:
✅ 100% focus on primary education
✅ Experienced teachers, TAs & SEND professionals
✅ Emergency, short-term, and long-term placements
✅ Personal service with deep understanding of curriculum needs
✅ Support for PSHE, RSHE, SEND and safeguarding delivery
Whether you’re a headteacher preparing for 2026 or a class teacher looking for specialist support, Moore Teachers can provide flexible, reliable staffing solutions tailored to your school’s needs.
📞 Get in Touch Today
📧 Email: tina@mooreteachers.co.uk
📞 Call: 01992 611902