Hundreds of schools are breaking the law by failing to teach RE

Almost one in six schools in England are breaking the law by failing to teach Religious Education to Year 11 students, a new report reveals.

In England, schools are required to teach RE to all students up to the age of 18. However, many schools admit to only teaching the subject to those who select it as a GCSE option.

The report by the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) reveals that, in practice, many students’ religious education ends when they are 13 or 14 years old.

Lack of investment

Joanne Harris, secondary vice-chair of NATRE explained that there is a recruitment crisis for RE teachers, saying: “funding would make a massive difference”.

She added: “RE is very useful. In the world today we want people who think critically, ask questions, and understand that the world is complicated. It’s about humans, deep thinking and working with people”.

The NATRE website notes that there are rarely any consequences for schools who neglect the subject.

Religious illiteracy

The Christian Institute’s Head of Education John Denning recently expressed his concern that so many schools continue to struggle to meet even the basic legal requirements for RE.

He said: “This contributes to religious illiteracy and robs children of the basic knowledge of Christian beliefs that they need to make sense of British culture and history, let alone considering these beliefs for themselves.

“Without good RE teachers, schools will continue to struggle, but there are organisations which help schools deliver teaching on Christianity within RE lessons in partnership with local churches”.