Today, the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh and Muslim faiths, the British Humanist Association and professional RE teaching associations are joining forces to support a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). When it is set up, the new APPG will focus on safeguarding the provision of RE in our schools and explore how the subject can continue to deliver a valuable dimension to the education of all children and young people.

A report published today warns that Religious Education is already being marginalised as a consequence of being left out of the 2010 English Baccalaureate and is set to disappear altogether from the curriculum of many secondary schools. Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove is expected to make an announcement on RE's inclusion in the EBacc by July 19.

New research among young people, including school leavers and those in full time education, indicates that Religious Education (RE) is a valued subject that leaves a lasting impression on those who study it.  This timely research comes as the government sets out its Schools White Paper, calling for a return to traditional humanities-based subjects.

“Today is significant for all who care about the matter of beliefs and values in the nation’s life. Religious Education, the designated curriculum area with this focus in primary and secondary schools, is being strongly affirmed in three complementary ways: new government guidance on RE, research on teaching related teaching resources, and a statement by the schools minister. 

There is much here that warrants welcome across the entire RE community:

• from across the Christian churches
• from the range of other faith communities, and the traditions behind them, that enrich this country
• from those who affirm a common humanity, but not religious beliefs
• from those who teach and learn in schools, advisers and inspectors, teacher educators and trainers, and their specialist associations.

The challenge is highlighted of how to guarantee that the classroom experience of RE is of high quality for each child and young person in every school and academy.”    

Brian Gates
Chair, Religious Education Council of England and Wales

New Guidance for Religious Education

The final version of government guidance on RE in schools and academies is now available. It has been developed in partnership between the DCSF and member organisations of the RE Council.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/subjects/re/guidance

New Religious Education Primary programme of Learning  

RE is expressly identied as a distinct area of learning with the new primary curriculum programme as published by the QCDA
http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/new-primary-curriculum/areas-of- learning/religious-education/index.aspx

Research Report on Resources for Teaching RE

This research by the Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit was commissioned by the DCSF as a key component of the RE Council's RE Action Plan
http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=publications&ProductId=DCSF-RR197&

Letter from Schools Minister

Diana Johnson has set out her public appreciation of the important of  religious Education as a fundamental component in the primary and secondary curriculum and her encouragement that the partnership  between the DCSF and the RE Council should continue to pursue its strategic efforts to strengthen the quality of RE
Letter from Diana Johnson MP