Rethink RE

Why Religious Education Matters More Than Ever — And What Parliament Can Do About It

In a society as diverse as ours, young people need the knowledge and skills to understand different beliefs and values, to find common ground, and to thrive together. Yet too many young people leave school with only a superficial understanding of religion and belief, missing not only knowledge, but the confidence to engage, the empathy to connect, and the moral compass to participate in public life.

Rethink RE is the campaign, led by the National Association of Teachers of RE and the Religious Education Council of England and Wales that invites you to help change that. We believe:

  • Every pupil, in every school, in every constituency, should enjoy a high-quality Religious Education that equips them to understand both their own worldview and that of others.
  • Such education nurtures social cohesion, underpins resilience in communities, supports mental wellbeing, and strengthens democratic dialogue.
  • The policy levers are in your hands — from funding and teacher training, to accountability in the curriculum — and your voice can make the difference, especially as we reach the conclusion of the government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review this Autumn .

If you agree — that an RE curriculum isn’t just about religion and belief, but about the scholarly tools young people need to navigate the v world — then we welcome you to explore what must change, how you can act locally and/or nationally, and what support is already ready and waiting.

Together, we can make sure that every child in every constituency receives the RE they deserve. Read on to see how.

What does RE look like in your area?

All pupils in all schools to receive a religious education taught to a National Standard 

In our local communities, the landscape of Religious Education (RE) varies significantly. While some pupils are fortunate to receive a comprehensive and enriching RE curriculum, others miss out on the vital opportunity to explore religious and non-religious worldviews in depth.

Those who benefit from high-quality RE, have a better understanding of the role of religion and belief in our society. They develop their own worldviews, fostering a sense of belonging in our diverse and pluralistic world. Such individuals are well-equipped to thrive in a multi-religious and multi-secular society, effectively contributing to the workforce, engaging with their communities, contributing to cohesive communities and confidently participating in discussions on matters related to religion and belief.

However, not all pupils are afforded this opportunity. Some receive only superficial or tokenistic religious education, leaving them ill-prepared to understand their own worldviews and those of their peers. In an increasingly interconnected and integrated society, such young people can face challenges in navigating a complex world. They are also ill-equipped for the world of work.

What can we achieve together?

  1. Engage in a Local Dialogue: We invite you to connect with us to better understand the state of Religious Education in your constituency. Let us work together to identify areas that need improvement.
  2. Advocate for the subject with Parliamentary Questions:Your support in raising important Parliamentary Questions related to RE can make a significant difference. Tell us if you are happy to facilitate these.
  3. Support a request for a Westminster Hall Debate on RE
  4. Enquire About Teacher Training:Reach out to relevant ministers and enquire why trainee secondary teachers in RE receive such small bursaries and do not receive subject knowledge enhancement grants. Ensuring proper support for future educators is key to enhancing the quality of RE in our schools.

Let us unite to ensure that every pupil in every constituency has the opportunity to receive a high-quality Religious Education. Together, we can empower our youth to become informed, engaged, and culturally aware citizens, ready to embrace the diverse world in which we live.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us to initiate this essential conversation and bring about positive change in RE education within our local communities.

Useful links

More sources of information:

How is RE is being taught?

Attitudes to RE

RE and wider policy

  • Read policy briefings on RE and Community relations, public perception, Shortage of subject specialist teachers, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Social Disadvantage, Freedom of Religion or Belief and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

 RE and disadvantaged pupils

Reports