Religious education is “vital” in preparing pupils to engage in a diverse and complex multi-religious and multi-secular society, according to an Ofsted review into the subject, published today.
All schools that are state-funded, including free schools and academies, are legally required to provide religious education as part of their curriculum at all key stages, including sixth form.
However, the review identifies “significant challenges” that limit high quality in religious education, including lack of time to teach it properly. Some schools do not offer pupils an opportunity to take a qualification in religious studies, or to enter exams early.
There is also “a lack of consideration” about what it means to be critically and objectively “scholarly” and a lack of clarity on what constitutes reliable knowledge about religion and non-religion.
Some teachers risk embedding “unhelpful misconceptions”, the review states.
Professor Trevor Cooling, Chair, Religious Education Council of England and Wales, said: “The timing of the Ofsted report on religious education sends a powerful message to all those with an interest in the status of RE. As only the second subject review after science and the first arts and humanities subject in the schedule, it is a clear indication of the importance of religious education as a discrete subject, and the need for a broad and balanced curriculum.
“The review spells out the essential role that RE plays in every young person’s academic and personal development and emphasises the value that an education in religious and non-religious world views provides in later life.”
Katie Freeman, chair of National Association of Teachers of RE, said: “The need for high quality teaching in all schools for all pupils, both from an academic perspective and for each pupil’s personal development, is abundantly clear in the Ofsted report.
“It sends out a strong reminder to all school leaders of the requirement to teach the subject at all key stages, including sixth form, and to consider the professional development and subject knowledge needed for teachers to deliver a high quality RE curriculum.”