Here are the latest Religious Education (RE) news highlights I found recently.
England and UK-wide: Ofsted continues to flag a lack of a coherent national plan for RE and notes that local curricula vary widely, with concerns that the subject could wilt without a stronger national framework. This was echoed in discussions around the Curriculum and Assessment Review and calls for a national plan to secure high-quality RE for all students. [cite ]
Northern Ireland: Developments around RE reform continue, with reports that Christianity will remain central but the curriculum will be expanded to include other major religions and philosophical traditions. A panel has been established to oversee revisions with aims to implement a new RE curriculum by September 2027. [cite ]
Related policy context: There’s ongoing debate and advocacy from RE policy groups for a national plan or inclusion of RE in the National Curriculum, signaling a shift toward more standardized standards and better teacher training. [cite ][cite ]
Regional coverage and debates: Coverage in regional outlets notes ongoing tensions between religious instruction approaches and legal/educational reforms, including how RE is taught in schools and how judgments or new guidance affect practice. [cite ][cite ]
If you’d like, I can narrow to a specific country (e.g., England, Northern Ireland) or pull primary sources (official statements, OFSTED reports, or government announcements) and summarize them with citations. I can also provide a quick briefing tailored to your location in Marseille, France, focusing on how European RE policy trends compare.
Religious Education “continuing to wilt” with no coherent national plan; Michaela School prayer ban judgment still causing waves; Legacy of Covid 19 among cremation staff, the unsung key workers of the pandemic
religionmediacentre.org.ukSchools should continue to provide Religious Education based on the "holy scriptures", according to Stormont's Department of Education. UTV News
www.itv.comThe Religious Education Policy Unit has welcomed the Curriculum and Assessment Review panel’s recommendation to recognise the value of Religious Education by including it in the National Curriculum.
www.retoday.org.ukJaved Love is understood to be the first teacher in Northern Ireland in at least a decade to take the action.
www.bbc.comRE teachers in England fear pupils who do not study the subject will be unprepared for modern life.
www.bbc.comThis is a important moment for the teaching of RE, says Sarah Lane Cawte
www.churchtimes.co.ukBut the education minister said the RE syllabus will change to include other main religions and philosophical traditions.
www.bbc.co.ukStay informed about religious education news with NATRE's latest updates.
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