Relationships, Sex and Health Education became statutory for all secondary-age pupils in England from September 2020 under the Children and Social Work Act 2017. The 2026 statutory guidance (effective 1 September 2026) is the version applicable to NEO.
NEO is independent alternative provision. Independent AP settings are not legally bound by health-education sections, but must still cover relationships education and RSE. The 2026 guidance explicitly states “specific thought should be given to the particular needs and vulnerabilities of the pupils and what adjustments might be needed” — this is precisely the ground NEO operates on.
Components
- Relationships Education
- Sex Education (parental right to withdraw, respected and documented)
- Health Education
- Online Safety (carries additional weight as NEO is fully online)
Cornerstones / RSHE / PSHE Mapping v0.1
The existing mapping document by Kirstin Stevens and Emily Baty (March 2026) — Nudge_Cornerstones_RSHE_PSHE_Mapping_v0.1 — uses the Cornerstone × RSHE Topic × PSHE Theme × Fit-rating taxonomy. Outcome pages in this RSHE branch reuse that taxonomy verbatim.
Care note
Heightened safeguarding obligations — see RSHE Mapping v0.1 §7. All practitioners delivering any RSHE content (including Cornerstone-based sessions touching on relationships, body, health, or safety) must be (a) trained in safe RSHE delivery and safe-messaging guidelines, (b) aware of the young person’s safeguarding status before the session, and (c) clear on how to escalate disclosures in line with the NEO Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and KCSIE 2025.