Curriculum Review and RE

For all RE Leads, and Teachers of RE

The Government Curriculum and Assessment review in this Culham St Gabriel’s focus week we have been exploring the Governmental review of the curriculum in schools in England.

  • What might this mean for Religious Education?
  • Should RE become part of a new National Curriculum in England?

Below you will find a series of resources from this week held in late January 2025. These resources are intended to

  • Continue conversations about the precarious position of RE as part of the basic curriculum despite the subject’s position as statutory.
  • Share solutions that will create a more equitable and high-quality provision for all pupils in all schools
  • Demonstrate why change is needed and what changes are needed in the current settlement for RE in England

Listen to our ‘in conversation’ session about whether RE should become part of a new national curriculum hosted by Fiona Moss and featuring 4 guests

  • Katie Freeman, Chair of NATRE and Primary school teacher
  • Paul Smalley, Co-chair of NASACRE and Strategic lead for Secondary ITE Edge Hill University
  • Kathryn Wright, CEO Culham St Gabriel’s Trust
  • Ben Wood, previous chair of NATRE and Secondary RE Teacher

Our Research spotlight focused on Deep and meaningful? 2024 OFSTED Subject report on RE. Read about the report, consider the questions and listen to a film reflecting on the findings of the report.

Our Resource spotlight focusses on the CSTG National Content Standard E-learning course. which in just 30 minutes summaries the key elements of this important non-statutory guidance document launched in Autumn 2023 by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales.

We have also published a series of blog posts responding to the question Should RE become part of a new National Curriculum in England?

Charles Clarke Three possible outcomes for RE…a choice to be made
Trevor Cooling Should RE be included in the National Curriculum? It’s the Standard, not the Stuff!
Charlotte Newman Why Religious Education (RE) should be a part of the National Curriculum
Richard Kueh Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold

We are grateful to Charles Clarke, Trevor Cooling, Charlotte Newman and Richard Kueh for their thoughts.

Schools week have also published an interesting piece by Christine Counsel sharing her thoughts on RE and the Curriculum and Assessment review It’s time to finally put RE in the national curriculum where it belongs.

Clearly the views of Culham St Gabriel’s are that RE should be part of any new national curriculum for England, but we really welcome conversation and are aware that there are different views on this.

We welcome conversation, do get in touch and let us know what you think on our social media channels.

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Lucy Nutt

Head of School and Early Years Improvement