RE to be Included in the Curriculum Review

[22.07.10]

Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, has recently intimated that Religious Education will be included in the curriculum view this autumn.

Although details remain few, when questioned by Chris Bryant (MP for Rhondda) about the possibility that schools may effectively opt out of religious education and sex and relationship education, Michael Gove responded:

‘As part of our curriculum review later this year, we shall address both religious education and sex and relationship education. I agree that it is important that when sex and relationship education is reformed - as it will be - we go for the maximum consensus across the House, and that we do so in a way that ensures that as many schools as possible buy into our belief that we should have a 21st century curriculum that reflects a modern understanding of sex and relationships.'
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100719/debtext/100719-0001.htm#10071915000003

Many commentators have pointed out the fact that, while referenced, religious education is quickly dropped from this statement. The form that the curriculum review will take is certainly unclear. Just how religious education will feature in this review is equally muddy. However, this is certainly something that people in the RE world will be watching very closely over the summer.

James Robson 22/07/2010