Every One Matters in the Classroom.  A Practice Code for Teachers of RE

What is it for? This code aims to complement the GTCE’s general code for teachers.  When that code was being drawn up, there was some concern about the implications of ‘demonstrating respect for diversity and promoting equality’ and whether that principle might ever come into conflict with a teacher’s sense of integrity in relation to his or her own beliefs.  This proposed code for teachers of RE is designed to help reassure teachers of RE themselves as well as pupils, parents and colleagues that a professional approach to such issues can and will be observed.

Who wrote it? This document has been drawn up by an RE Council working group with representation from NATRE, AREIAC, NASACRE and several religious/non religious belief traditions.  It has been sent out for consultation through AREIAC, NATRE and the REC and account has been taken of the responses received.

Are RE teachers required to follow it? Unlike the GTCE code, this one is voluntary but it is hoped that the principles and examples it sets out will be of sufficient worth for them to gain widespread acceptance amongst teachers of RE.  The ideal would be for them to be used by teachers of any subject who address issues of religion and belief in their own area.

Download the Practice Code for Teachers of RE

Useful further reading

A report exploring the potential for giving more explicit attention to Values, Beliefs and Faiths within the existing curriculum of Further Education colleges, concentrating on the strengthening of what’s already there, rather than creating an additional burden.

The project was funded by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service through the RE Council of England & Wales (REC) and the National Council of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education (FBFE).

Download - Emerging Voices - Breathing spaces for Values, Beliefs and Faiths in the Further Education Curriculum

The RE Council's advice to publishers of books and resources on Religious Education

Meeting of REC Officers with Nick Gibb Minister for Schools 19 May 2011

At their meeting with the Minister, Brian Gates, John Keast and Deborah Weston pressed the unintended negative effects on RE arising from the education policy being pursued by the government. These include the impact of

-  EBacc proposals on GCSE provision in RE and related specialist staffing
-  LA support for SACREs
-  Education and training in the subject in ITT and CPD.

Non Statutory Framework for Religious Education

This framework is the result of extensive consultation across the RE community. It was agreed by all the faith and belief organisations, plus the academic and professional associations in the RE Council, and formally endorsed by religious leaders individually. It was published by the QCA for the DfES in 2004 and sets out why RE is important. It also suggests the kind of outcomes from the subject which children and young people deserve from education throughout the country.

Non Statutory Framework for Religious Education

for teachers of RE, Citizenship, PSHE and other subjects
from the Religious Education Council of England and Wales

Teachers  – are you sure that when you choose resources dealing with religion, they…

• are factually correct?
• are sensitive and will not cause offence to students and their families?  
• convey a fair and balanced view of religious traditions?
• carry an authentic voice?

Publishers, editors, authors –
are you sure that when your publications deal with religion, they..

• are factually correct?
• are sensitive and will not cause offence to readers?
• convey a fair and balanced view of religious traditions?
• carry an authentic voice?

The RE Council's leaflet promoting Religious Education can be downloaded from the link below. Multiple printed copies of this leaflet are available free of charge to individuals and organisations who can make use of them in helping to increase public understanding of the nature and value of religious education.  To place an order, please email your request to   

Download the Leaflet 

Thoughtful reflection before the inter-faith dialogue begins

Christian Pountain, Head of RE at St. Christopher’s C.E. High School, Accrington, tells of the usefulness of the new REC Media toolkit and how it became part of his vision to saturate a major interfaith event in his school with media coverage.

This new leaflet outlines the aims, current activities and membership of the REC. It can be downloaded here. Printed copies can be obtained on request from .