What does RE look like in your area?
All pupils in all schools to receive a religious education taught to a National Standard
In our local communities, the landscape of Religious Education (RE) varies significantly. While some pupils are fortunate to receive a comprehensive and enriching RE curriculum, others miss out on the vital opportunity to explore religious and non-religious worldviews in depth.
Those who benefit from high-quality RE, have a better understanding of the role of religion and belief in our society. They develop their own worldviews, fostering a sense of belonging in our diverse and pluralistic world. Such individuals are well-equipped to thrive in a multi-religious and multi-secular society, effectively contributing to the workforce, engaging with their communities, contributing to cohesive communities and confidently participating in discussions on matters related to religion and belief.
However, not all pupils are afforded this opportunity. Some receive only superficial or tokenistic religious education, leaving them ill-prepared to understand their own worldviews and those of their peers. In an increasingly interconnected and integrated society, such young people can face challenges in navigating a complex world. They are also ill-equipped for the world of work.
What can we achieve together?
1. Engage in a Local Dialogue:
We invite you to connect with us to better understand the state of Religious Education in your locality. Let us work together to identify areas that need improvement.
2. Advocate for the subject with Parliamentary Questions: (if you are a parliamentarian). Your support in raising important Parliamentary Questions related to RE can make a significant difference. Tell us if you are happy to facilitate these.
3. Help us to establish an All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education.
4. Enquire About Teacher Training: Reach out to relevant ministers and enquire why trainee secondary teachers in RE do not receive bursaries at a sufficiently high level to support them to become teachers. Ensuring proper support for future educators is key to enhancing the quality of RE in our schools.
5. Write to ministers to advocate for the reinstatement of subject knowledge enhancement grants for the large number of individuals with other specialisms who want to become teachers of RE.
6. Work with the government to ensure the curriculum and assessment review engages systematically with RE subject associations such as NATRE and the REC.
Let us unite to ensure that every pupil in every constituency has the opportunity to receive a high-quality Religious Education. Together, we can empower our young people to become informed, engaged, and culturally aware citizens, ready to embrace the diverse world in which we live.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us to initiate this essential conversation and bring about positive change in RE education within our local communities. You can contact the chair of NATRE at chair@natre.org.uk or the Chair of the Religious Education Council on chair@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk
Useful links
https://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/rwapproach
REady for Work campaign – ReThinkRE
https://www.natre.org.uk/news/latest-news/infographic-to-show-recuritment-issues-in-re/
Campaigns – Culham St Gabriel’s (cstg.org.uk)
https://www.reonline.org.uk/research/
Research – RE:ONLINE (reonline.org.uk)
https://www.natre.org.uk/about-re/religious-education-performance