Tags: RE

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Religious education isn’t the right vehicle for civics

The government thinks religious education is important for developing children's critical thinking, values, and understanding... Read More »

Children in class

It's time to move on from religious education

RE has become a subject in search of a purpose. There are better approaches to learning about the diversity of beliefs,... Read More »

Schools aren’t there to save the church

Schools aren’t there to save the church

The Church of England's new evangelical missional strategy should lead us to question its entitlement to proselytise... Read More »

Children in class

Schools must be supported against religious bullies

Comments from Ofsted's chief inspector highlight the need to help schools resist efforts to shut down teaching which... Read More »

Teenager in class

Requires improvement: Ofsted review shows need for a major rethink on RE

A review has highlighted significant problems with the way RE is taught. Alastair Lichten argues that it shows the... Read More »

Understanding Christianity and the study of religion and worldviews

RE shouldn’t be a vehicle for the Church of England’s interests

A new study of a widely-used set of RE resources illustrates the way powerful groups control the subject to accommodate... Read More »

Rainbow flag

Why can't Ofsted stop state schools preaching that same-sex relationships are wrong?

As the government considers ways to end 'gay conversion therapy' it should give Ofsted the power to stop faith schools... Read More »

Religion

Will Wales lead the way in reforming Religious Education?

The Welsh government's plans to reform RE risk being a missed opportunity for more radical reform of the way we approach... Read More »

1944 Education Act event

The 1944 Education Act was a landmark law – but let’s reconsider the privileges it granted to religion

Three-quarters of a century ago an enduring piece of legislation secured free education for all – but gave churches... Read More »

RE symbols and pupils

This isn’t the time to end the right to withdraw from RE in Wales

The Welsh government is considering removing the parental right to withdraw from religious education. Alastair Lichten... Read More »

New guidance on the right to withdraw from RE in Wales – response

New guidance on the right to withdraw from RE in Wales – response

New guidance on managing parents' right to withdraw their children from religious education in Wales is largely common... Read More »

The row over right of withdrawal highlights the need to reform RE

The row over right of withdrawal highlights the need to reform RE

Teachers from the ATL union have voted to demand a clampdown on parents selectively withdrawing their children from... Read More »

Big ideas for religious education?

The latest report into the problems with religious education reiterates the need to start with a fundamental examination... Read More »

Who controls religious education?

Necessary reforms of religious education are being frustrated by religion's lingering influence. It's time to liberate... Read More »

Never mind joining SACREs, we should be abolishing them

A parent's legal challenge to the exclusion of a humanist representative from the local body responsible for overseeing... Read More »

Why we need a 21st century RE for all

2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the Education Reform Act 1988 which saw the introduction of a national curricular... Read More »

What do pupils need to know about religion?

In recent years faith communities have amplified their demands for a better understanding of religion in the private... Read More »

Religious education reform: mistakes of the past must be avoided

Despite many RE teachers doing their best under difficult circumstances, a growing consensus now recognises that religious... Read More »

Let Ofsted inspect religious education in faith schools

Religious education should receive the same scrutiny as any other area of the curriculum – and be inspected... Read More »

Let’s stop confusing education with religious inculcation

The blurring of the distinction between education and religious inculcation in British schools is preventing young... Read More »

Government’s GCSE subject content review is another missed opportunity

The Government's proposal to reform the religious studies GCSE subject content falls far short of what's really needed,... Read More »

A contested subject: religious education and faith schools

Reports of a Cabinet row over plans to require faith schools to teach more than one religion at GCSE level show that... Read More »

The RE Report – A missed opportunity

The RE Council's report has been well received. However, with the decline in church attendance and increasing evangelism... Read More »

How do we keep religious education out of the hands of the evangelists?

How can schools tell children about religion in a way that is fair, objective, unbiased and, most important, doesn't... Read More »