The Board of Deputies has welcomed the statement of Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson that religious education will be included for the first time in a public consultation on the future content of the national curriculum, to be launched in September. In making the announcement the Secretary of State spoke of the importance of “equipping young people with the knowledge, understanding and values that religious education teaches”.
The Board of Deputies has long supported the inclusion of RE on the National Curriculum to promote community cohesion and tackle prejudice and extremism. Education Officer Anna Silver has steered the Board’s engagement in the process of developing a Proposed Programme of Study for RE, led by Dr Vanessa Ogden with the input of faith groups and education professionals.
In the consultation, it will be proposed that faith schools will be able to continue providing religious education in line with the ethos of their school.
Board Vice President Jeremy Michelson said: “Widespread religious literacy is important for social cohesion in the UK and good quality RE in schools plays a vital role in achieving this. We want to see every child taught to understand and respect difference, rather than let it divide us.”