January 15, 2021Media releases, REC NewsletterLast night the REC was delighted to host over xx participants in a fascinating and lively panel discussion as part of our Worldviews series of events.- January 12, 2021Media releases, REC NewsletterThe REC is running a project to support conversations in the RE community exploring the concepts of Worldviews in religious education. To equip these explorations, we are delighted to...
- January 7, 2021Members, REC NewsletterThis series of January events is open to all REC Member Organisations and their members.
- January 4, 2021Members, REC NewsletterEvents are open to all REC Member Organisations and their Authorised Representatives. All events will be online via Zoom, and may be recorded To register, please email info@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk with your...
- December 1, 2020Media releases, PoliticalGovernment Independent Faith Engagement Review. Call for evidence closes 11th December 2020. The consultation closes on 11th December.
- October 27, 2020Media releasesAs part of the Worldview Project, the REC commissioned a multidisciplinary academic literature review on the worldview concept. This was prepared by three academics working in different disciplines in...
- August 20, 2020Media releasesThe number of pupils taking GCSE Religious Studies in England and Wales has remained stable in 2020 despite ongoing challenges, reflecting the relevance of the subject and its popularity...
- August 20, 2020REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- August 13, 2020Media releasesThe number of Religious Studies A-level exam entries has declined at a lower rate than other humanities in 2020, performing better than some subjects despite a backdrop of overall...
- July 16, 2020Media releasesNews from the REC There are important developments in the work of the REC that I would like to share with you. First, I want to thank and pay tribute to...
- June 22, 2020Media releasesWelsh Curriculum Consultation 2020 – Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) The REC wishes to emphasise its unequivocal support for the teaching of non-religious worldviews and for the appointment of non-religious representatives...
- June 11, 2020Media releasesNews from the REC – June 2020 Following Rudi’s resignation as our CEO from 31st July to take up the post of CEO at the Independent School’s Association, I am...
- May 13, 2020REC General MeetingsThe 2020 Annual General Meeting of the RE Council took place online this year due to the ongoing public health crisis. A two-minute silence and act of remembrance at the...
- May 12, 2020Media releasesSurge in RE Teacher Trainee Numbers as Candidates are Drawn from other Humanities Four out of ten new PGCE Religious Education students have become teachers after graduating in other subjects...
- April 29, 2020Media releasesThe REC is preparing a bid for a major funding trust and is looking for a partner to work with in the development of that bid and the delivery...
- March 31, 2020Media releasesFollowing the appointment of our CEO, Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, to be CEO of the Independent Schools Association with effect from 1st August 2020, the REC is looking to appoint...
- March 23, 2020Media releasesThe REC is following Government Guidelines and moving to an online method of working. Staff have been asked to work from home and events are being moved online, postponed,...
- March 23, 2020Media releasesThe REC is responding to government advice and we are changing the way we manage the award. Please be aware we will be suspending physical site visits to help prevent...
- March 10, 2020Board meeting summariesREC Board Meeting: 5th March 2020 By Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 5th March 2020 Apologies were received from...
- March 6, 2020Media releasesWorldview Project : Update on Progress 6th March 2020 Literature Review v The aim is to produce a broad literature review that surveys work on the use of the concept of worldview across...
- March 1, 2020REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- February 14, 2020Media releasesIt is with a mixture of pleasure and sadness that I announce that our CEO Rudi Eliott Lockhart has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Schools...
- January 31, 2020REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- January 22, 2020Media releasesContract work: literature review of work on the concept worldview The RE Council is looking for a researcher to undertake a literature review on work engaging with the concept worldview. ...
- December 10, 2019Board meeting summariesREC Board Meeting: 5th December 2019 By Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 5th December 2019 Apologies were received from...
- December 3, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- November 12, 2019REC General MeetingsThe 2019 Second Regular General Meeting of the RE Council took place at the London Muslim Centre in the East London Mosque on 6th November. There was a detailed...
- November 1, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- October 22, 2019Board meeting summariesREC Board Meeting: 15th October 2019 By Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 15th October 2019 Apologies were received from...
- October 9, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- October 4, 2019PoliticalThe Welsh Government has announced that it is consulting on key potential changes to the teaching of Religious Education (RE). The reforms up for consultation include a potential change...
- September 9, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- August 22, 2019Media releases, SchoolsThe number of pupils in England and Wales taking GCSE Religious Studies full course has fallen for the third year in a row, down 1.6% against 2018 to 237,862. In...
- August 15, 2019Educators, Media releases, SchoolsThe growing number of secondary schools in England and Wales that are failing to provide Religious Education to all pupils until the age of 16 is continuing to impact...
- August 14, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- July 29, 2019The Religious Education Council of England and Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of a new patron for the charity, Gurmail Malhi. Mr Malhi is President of Sri...
- July 12, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- July 11, 2019Media Appearances, PoliticalOn 11th July 2019, NatCen released the results of the 36th British Social Attitudes survey, which included a detailed chapter on the topic of attitudes towards religion. RE Council of...
- June 28, 2019Board meeting summariesBy Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of the REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 24th June 2019 Apologies were received from Sushma Sahajpal. The other...
- June 11, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- June 7, 2019Media releases, SchoolsA new school inspection framework has been welcomed by the religious education community for its potential to improve the way schools are held to account for the provision of...
- May 29, 2019REC General MeetingsThe 2019 Annual General Meeting of the RE Council took place at Amigo Hall, St George’s Cathedral on 16th May. In addition to the required business of approving the...
- May 3, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- April 4, 2019Board meeting summariesBy Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of the REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 14th March 2019. There were no apologies. The Board paid tribute...
- April 3, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- March 29, 2019The Religious Education Council of England and Wales is delighted to announce the appointment of a new patron for the charity, Nitin Palan MBE. Nitin is a businessman and...
- March 6, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- February 28, 2019Commission on RE, Media AppearancesLast week, REC CEO, Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, spoke on Voice of Islam UK's Drive Time Podcast. The episode asked what measures can be taken on an individual and societal...
- February 11, 2019Commission on RE, Media AppearancesREC CEO, Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, recently participated in the first instalment of the Faith & Belief Forum's new podcast, "Dialogues Across Difference", on the topic of "The Future of...
- February 1, 2019REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- January 18, 2019Board meeting summariesREC Board Meeting: 6th December 2018 By Professor Trevor Cooling: Chair of REC The Board met at the REC offices from noon to 5pm on 6th December 2018 Apologies were received from...
- January 3, 2019Commission on REThe Chair of the Commission on Religious Education, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, has written to the Secretary of State following his response to the Commission's Final Report. In...
- January 3, 2019Commission on REThere was a Short Debate in the House of Lords on 17th December on the Commission on RE's report. Lord Alderdice secured the debate "To ask Her Majesty’s Government...
- December 15, 2018Commission on RE, Media releases, PoliticalThe Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds, has written to the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Chair of the Commission on Religious Education, with a response to the...
- December 4, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- November 9, 2018REC General MeetingsThe RE Council SRGM took place at the Jewish Museum on 7th November 2018. Authorised representatives of member organisations heard a keynote address from Dr Joyce Miller, one of the members...
- November 6, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- November 1, 2018Commission on RE, Media releasesThe Commission on RE’s final report was released on 9th September 2018. Following a full discussion at a meeting of the REC’s Board, it was resolved to make a public...
- November 1, 2018Board meeting summariesThe Board met at the REC Offices from 12 noon until 5.45pm. Formalities were first conducted, including: Noting of apologies for absence from Aliya Azam and Kathryn Wright. Passing a...
- October 5, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- September 9, 2018Commission on RE, Media releasesThe Commission on Religious Education has today published its Final Report. It sets out a vision for change for Religious Education (RE) in England and presents a national plan...
- September 3, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- August 23, 2018SchoolsThe number of pupils in England and Wales taking GCSE Religious Studies full course has fallen for the second year in a row, down 10.4% against 2017 to 241,749. In...
- August 23, 2018Media releasesGCSE entries to subjects outside the Government’s EBacc school performance measure slide The number of entries from students in England taking GCSEs in subjects that are not included in the EBacc...
- August 16, 2018Media releases, SchoolsConcerns cited by the Religious Education Council and NATRE over the effects this will have on society in modern Britain At a time when Religious Education is more important than ever,...
- August 16, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- August 16, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- August 16, 2018PoliticalOn 4th July 2018 the REC organised a Parliamentary luncheon to discuss the barriers and challenges to RE teacher recruitment with MPs and policy experts. The lunch was attended...
- July 31, 2018Political, Young AmbassadorsOn Monday 9th July 2018, 80 Year 10-12 students from schools across England came to Parliament to debate some of the key issues around the teaching of Religious Education.Four...
- June 27, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- June 27, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- June 27, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- June 27, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- June 12, 2018PoliticalThe RE Council's Chief Executive, Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, and the drafter of the Commission on Religious Education, Amira Tharani, went to 10 Downing Street on Monday 11 June to...
- June 11, 2018Media releases, PoliticalThe Religious Education Council (REC) has appointed Kishan Devani FRSA to undertake ambassadorial work on its behalf. Kishan will be working with faith and belief communities, and with politicians,...
- June 8, 2018Media releases, SchoolsJoint RE Council and National Association of Teachers of RE Statement: On 30th May Ofqual published provisional figures for entries in public examinations in Summer 2018. These figures indicate a...
- May 25, 2018Board meeting summariesThe Board met at the REC Offices from 12 noon until 5.00pm. Formalities were first conducted, including: Noting of apologies for absence from James Holt and Karamjit Singh Thind. Philip...
- May 14, 2018REC General MeetingsThe RE Council AGM took place at Conway Hall on 10th May 2018. In addition to the required business involving approving the Annual Report and receiving the organisation’s accounts, the...
- May 9, 2018Media releases, PoliticalNew guidance in Wales has clarified the position of non-religious people sitting on SACREs in Wales. Kirsty Williams AM, the Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales, in a letter...
- March 13, 2018Schools, Young AmbassadorsRS Ambassadors and A level Students from The Queen Katherine School recently attended an intense and challenging Q and A session with the Archbishop of York, The Right Revd...
- March 5, 2018Board meeting summaries, REC BlogA summary of the RE Council's latest Board meeting.
- February 16, 2018Educators, Media releasesThe REC is responding to a shortage of qualified RE teachers in schools and a need for greater incentives to attract new recruits.
- February 1, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- January 26, 2018EducatorsOne of the Religious Education Council's main audiences are educators looking for teaching and learning resources on religious education. Here we have compiled a list of resources that may...
- January 17, 2018RE Quality MarkThanks to generous funding from The Westhill Trust and St Matthias Trust, the RE Council is able to offer FREE or subsidised RE Quality Mark assessments to a limited number of schools.
- January 17, 2018REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- January 10, 2018RE DigestIn the REC’s first RE digest of 2018, we have gathered recent news stories with a relevance to religious education from across the web and published the links below. State...
- December 11, 2017Board meeting summaries, REC BlogA summary of the RE Council's latest Board meeting.
- December 1, 2017REC NewsletterFind out the latest news from the RE world in the RE Council newsletter.
- November 27, 2017EducatorsThe Beyond the Ordinary RE teacher recruitment campaign to attract more trainees to take up secondary Religious Education PGCEs first launched in 2015 in response to declining numbers of...
- November 15, 2017REC NewsletterThe RE Council newsletter is a collation of REC news and news from our member organisations. To subscribe to the monthly newsletter, go to the homepage, scroll down to the bottom...
- October 31, 2017Board meeting summariesThe Board met at the REC Officers with a smaller complement than usual due to Ofsted inspections and work/family crises all striking in the last few days. The meeting...
- October 10, 2017PoliticalFor the fourth year running, the RE Council, NATRE and RE Today represented religious education on stands at the Labour and Conservative party conferences. Representatives from all three organisations,...
- October 9, 2017EducatorsThe RE PD portal is managed by the REC and is a one-stop shop for teachers of RE to find out about RE CPD opportunities of all kinds. The portal includes a...
- September 21, 2017Commission on REThe first report by the Commission on RE (CoRE) has been welcomed by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC) as a positive step towards safeguarding the...
- September 17, 2017Educators, Media releases, SchoolsNew analysis of the Government’s School Workforce Census reveals that more than one in four (28%) state secondary schools are struggling to meet their legal obligation to teach pupils about...
- August 24, 2017Educators, Media releases, SchoolsFalling numbers of Religious Studies GCSE entries suggests schools are struggling to meet their legal obligations. The number of pupils in England and Wales taking GCSE Religious Studies full course...
- August 17, 2017Educators, Media releases, SchoolsEntries for Religious Studies A-level remain high with the fastest growth among arts, humanities and social sciences. Press release The key outcomes of the 2017 A level results in England and...
- June 15, 2017Board meeting summariesThe Board met at the REC offices and all members bar James Holt and Emma McVitie were present. Before the substantial business was discussed, potential conflicts of interest were...
- May 1, 2017Commission on REThe Commission on Religious Education has been established to review the legal, education and policy frameworks for Religious Education, by a wide-ranging, inclusive and evidence-based process designed to inform...
- April 25, 2017RE DigestThe RE Digest is a round-up of world news from across the internet that is relevant to religious education. In the first quarter of the year there has been particular concern...
- April 20, 2017Educators, Political, SchoolsWith the General Election fewer than 50 days away, and political parties hurrying to put together their manifestos, here are four things that we would like to see them...
- April 5, 2017Young AmbassadorsAs part of our work as Young Ambassadors for the RE Council, a group of students from Broughton High School attended a national debate on Religious Education at Westminster...
- February 7, 2017Commission on REThe Commission on Religious Education has been established to review the legal, education and policy frameworks for Religious Education, by a wide-ranging, inclusive and evidence-based process designed to inform...
- February 2, 2017Educators, SchoolsThis is a formal request for information around the provision of Religious Education (RE) in your school, as part of the first nationwide project to collect information on RE...
- January 18, 2017EducatorsWe are now into our third year of the Beyond the Ordinary RE Teacher recruitment campaign. This year we are working with extremely limited funds and would value your...
- December 16, 2016Young AmbassadorsOn Thursday 17th November, the Young Ambassadors for RE at Queen Katherine School organised a lunchtime interfaith event in line with National Interfaith Week. It was an opportunity for students to carousel around...
- December 15, 2016REC BlogIt’s that time of year again. I’ve just been given a Christmas present of a bottle of wine by one of my PhD students. I really appreciate that. I...
- December 15, 2016RE DigestIn the REC’s first Religious Education digest, we have gathered recent news stories with a relevance to RE from around the internet and published the links below. It is particularly...
- December 6, 2016Commission on REThe Commission on Religious Education has launched a call for evidence which will be open until 9.00am on 13th February. It is important for the Commission to hear from...
- November 27, 2016Schools, Young AmbassadorsThe Young Ambassadors for RE scheme provides students aged 11 - 18 with the opportunity to champion RE. They do this by sharing their positive experiences of religious education...
- November 3, 2016Commission on RE, REC BlogThursday 3rd November marks an important day for RE in this country. At 4pm, the members of the Commission on Religious Education (CoRE) gather for their first meeting of the six...
- November 2, 2016Commission on REToday, the website for the Commission on Religious Education went live. The web address is www.commissiononre.org.uk. The Commission on Religious Education has been established to review the legal, education, and policy...
- November 2, 2016MembersThe Second Regular General Meeting of the Religious Education Council brought together representatives from across more than 60 member organisations at the Oshwal Ekta Centre in Kingsbury, London today....
- September 27, 2016PoliticalRE Teacher Naomi Anstice on the stand at the Labour Party Conference For the third year running, the RE Council, NATRE and RE Today will be representing RE on stands at the...
- September 1, 2016Educators, RE Quality Mark, SchoolsThe national accreditation for high quality religious education will be five years old in Autumn 2016. Realising that there was a need for an award which would match those...
- September 1, 2016Educators, RE Quality Mark, SchoolsThe REC is delighted to announce that Linda Rudge will be taking over from Mary Myatt and Jane Brooke as Project Manager of the RE Quality Mark from September...
- August 31, 2016Commission on REFollowing the launch of the Commission on RE last month, the REC is very pleased to announce the appointment of the Commission's Project Manager, Jon Reynolds, who will be leading the operational side...
- August 25, 2016SchoolsBethan Moss, who attends Groby Community College in Leicestershire, was among the thousands of pupils to receive their GCSE results today. She was delighted to discover she had achieved an A grade...
- August 25, 2016SchoolsThe number of pupils in England and Wales taking GCSE Religious Studies full course is at its highest since 2002. There were 284,057 entries, up 0.1% on figures for...
- August 18, 2016SchoolsThe key outcomes of the 2016 A level results in England and Wales for Religious Education are as follows: 24,966 RS A level entries were recorded, an increase of...
- July 18, 2016Schools, Young AmbassadorsOver 60 students from across England came together on 13 July at the Houses of Parliament for the inaugural Youth Debate on the role of religious education in schools. They...
- July 8, 2016Commission on RE, Media releasesIndependent Commission on RE to make wide-ranging recommendations for change within Religious Education in schools A high-profile independent Commission on Religious Education has been established with a remit to make...
- July 1, 2016PoliticalIn a week of high drama at Westminster, three MPs still found the time to meet with the REC to discuss the important work that we are undertaking. On Tuesday...
- June 19, 2016Young AmbassadorsYoung Ambassadors Emily, Grace and Laura with their RE teachers, Lynsey Wilkinson and Holly Smith. On Monday 6th June 2016, RE Ambassadors from all around the country gathered together for the...
- June 16, 2016Young AmbassadorsAs part of their research for their assignment into how Sufi Islam prepares people for life in modern Britain, the Young Ambassadors from Broughton High School interviewed a Sufi...
- June 14, 2016Young AmbassadorsMonty, Lucy, Madi and Alf, the RE Young Ambassadors team from Amery Hill School in Hampshire, with their RE teacher Esther Keen, and Ian Carpenter. Here Lucy and Monty report on their...
- June 14, 2016EducatorsThe RE Council is thrilled and delighted to learn that Deborah Weston has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Religious Education, inter and...
- June 3, 2016Young AmbassadorsThe REC is very grateful to have received £1700.00 in donations for the conference and free use of Conway Hall as a venue on 6th June, for which the REC would like...
- May 3, 2016Political, Young AmbassadorsOn Friday 15th of April, 2016 the Young Ambassadors for RE at the Queen Katherine School in Kendal invited Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats Party and their...
- April 20, 2016Young AmbassadorsBy Ellanee Kruck, Mercy Osborne and Julia Robertshaw, Young Ambassadors for RE at St Bede's Interchurch School, Cambridge On 4th March, the Young Ambassadors for RE from St Bede’s Interchurch...
- April 2, 2016PoliticalOn 8th March the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education met in order to discuss changes to its purpose statement. At that meeting, the APPG agreed a...
- March 30, 2016EducatorsThe second year of the Beyond the Ordinary campaign to attract people to apply for PGCEs in secondary RE is now underway. We are building on the legacy of last year’s efforts, which saw RE PGCE...
- January 14, 2016PoliticalIn January 2016, the REC made a statement to clarify its new relationship with the APPG on RE, for which the REC had previously acted as secretariat.
- December 7, 2015Media releases, ReportsLiving with Difference, the report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life, makes an important contribution to the growing debate over the future of religious education. ...
- November 26, 2015Media releases, Reports, SchoolsToday the Faiths & Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London release a major new report on RE in secondary schools. The report highlights broad support for Religious...
- November 25, 2015MembersThe High Court today gave a ruling on the case brought by three families against the Secretary of State for Education regarding the exclusion of non-religious worldviews from the GCSE RS...
- September 1, 2015REC BlogI am honoured to have been voted in as the new Chair of the REC. I am both excited by and in awe of the prospect of serving this...
- August 19, 2015REC BlogOn Monday, 17 August, I had the honour of speaking at the funeral of John Hull. It was a deeply moving, celebratory occasion when many people from the world of...
- Full course GCSE Religious Studies entries rise, but number of schools with no RS students at all...August 19, 2015Media releases, SchoolsThe number of pupils in England and Wales taking GCSE Religious Studies full course has risen again this year, up 5.3% against 2014 to 283,756. This echoes the increase...
- August 13, 2015Media releases, SchoolsThe key outcomes of the 2015 A level results in England and Wales for Religious Education are as follows: 23,372 RS A level entries were recorded, an increase of...
- July 28, 2015EducatorsIt was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Professor John Hull. He died peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, 28th July, following a serious...
- June 14, 2015PoliticalOn Monday 13th June the REC met with the Schools Minister, Nick Gibb MP. Trevor Cooling, Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, and Deborah Weston, respectively the Chair of the REC, the...
- March 25, 2015Educators, Media releases, Schools‘Beyond the Ordinary’ campaign aimed at graduates and career changers A new campaign to encourage graduates and career changers to train as RE teachers is launched today by the Religious...
- March 3, 2015REC BlogAt the end of January, our highly respected and popular Executive Officer, Dr Sarah Smalley, retired from the RE Council. Many tributes have been paid to her for her outstanding commitment,...
- March 2, 2015EducatorsProfessor Robert Jackson, professor of religions and education at the University of Warwick, and professor and special adviser at the European Wergeland Centre, Oslo, has responded to a call from A C...
- March 1, 2015Educators, Media releases, SchoolsThe REC welcomes the publication of the new criteria for specifications in GCSE and A level Religious Studies exams. This means that RS exams will be available for first...
- February 20, 2015Educators, SchoolsNo new Ofsted lead subject inspector for religious education until after an Ofsted review of National Lead roles. Written answers from Ofsted to parliamentary questions indicate that there is no...
- January 30, 2015Political, Young AmbassadorsOn 27 January, Stephen Lloyd, chair of the APPG on RE hosted an event at 1 Parliament Street, during which MPs had the opportunity to publicise their support for...
- January 28, 2015Political, Young AmbassadorsSixteen MPs from across the main political parties took part in an All Party Parliamentary Group event to publicise their belief that good RE should be available for all...
- December 23, 2014EducatorsResponse from the Religious Education Council's Board to the DfE exam criteria consultation in December 2014.
- December 23, 2014Educators, PoliticalResponse from the REC Board to the DfE exam criteria consultation: 23 December 2014
- December 23, 2014Educators, RE Quality Mark, SchoolsThe RE Quality Mark scheme is now well established in England and developing in Wales. Now these REQM schools recognised for their excellent RE have been joined by Banbridge...
- December 12, 2014REC BlogSo, another very busy term draws to an end and much has been achieved at the Religious Education Council as Christmas approaches. For the first time we decided that the...
- November 27, 2014Young AmbassadorsThe Young Ambassador team from Broughton have made a video, showcasing their activities in 2013-2014.
- November 18, 2014Young AmbassadorsOn 10th November, 22 secondary students - Young Ambassadors for RE - gathered for a conference in London. One of the themes was 'Religion and humour' and they relished...
- November 12, 2014REC BlogThe REC is delighted to announce the appointment of its first chief executive officer: Rudolf Eliott Lockhart.
- November 12, 2014Educators, Members, PoliticalNick Gibb, Minister of State for School Reform, addressed a meeting of member representatives of the RE Council on 7th November at the Zoroastrian Centre, Harrow. Mr Gibb affirmed the government's support...
- November 7, 2014Educators, SchoolsThe RE Council of England and Wales welcomes the consultation on the criteria for GCSE and A Level examinations in Religious Studies and is pleased that its officers and member organisations...
- October 30, 2014REC BlogIt is no surprise to me to find that the last six weeks have been extremely busy in my new role as Chair of the REC. I have written...
- September 1, 2014REC BlogThis is my first blog, and not just as the new Chair of the REC! I would like to begin by paying a very warm tribute to John Keast who...
- August 21, 2014Educators, Media releases, SchoolsThe key outcomes of the 2014 GCSE results in England and Wales for Religious Education are as follows: 387,915 RS GCSE entries (combined short and full course) were recorded;...
- August 14, 2014Educators, Media releases, SchoolsThe key outcomes of the 2014 A level results in England for Religious Education are as follows: 20,196 RS A level entries were recorded; nearly double (96%) the number...
- July 22, 2014Young AmbassadorsIn February, new Young Ambassadors from Archbishop Sentamu Academy began their collaboration with YAs from Venerable Bede school in Sunderland. The teams got in touch via Facetime on the...
- July 10, 2014EducatorsA new initiative that uses superheroes to teach Religious Education at a school in Cornwall has won at the TES School Awards. The distinctive characters, called Know-it-all-Nicky, Debate-it-all-Derek, Ask-it-all-Ava and...
- May 21, 2014EducatorsThe EAG for RE has now been established with the support of the DfE and will work alongside similar sector led groups for other curriculum subjects. Its first newsletter has just been...
- May 9, 2014REC BlogMy blog this month is very short. I made a full Chair’s report on RE to the RE Council assembled for the AGM in Cardiff on 7 May. I...
- May 8, 2014Members, PoliticalHuw Lewis, Minister for Education in Wales, addressed members of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales at its annual general meeting yesterday. Welcoming them to the historic...
- May 8, 2014Young AmbassadorsLynsey Wilkinson, the teacher contact for Redhill Young Ambassadors, has written an article in SecEd about the opportunities the YA scheme has brought to her students and school. You...
- April 15, 2014EducatorsArrangements for the reform of GCSE criteria for RS have been announced; it is intended that the new exams will be available for teaching from September 2016. Qualifications Committee The REC's...
- April 9, 2014EducatorsThe following statement was issued jointly today by the Religious Education Council and the National Association of Teachers of RE regarding GCSE and A Level reform: The Religious Education Council...
- March 18, 2014REC BlogOn 17 March, the All Party Parliamentary Group for RE launched its summary report of its enquiry into the contribution of RE to good community relations. A copy of the report...
- March 17, 2014Media releases, PoliticalMPs publish report on RE’s contribution to community relations An inquiry by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Religious Education (RE) has found that RE lessons have a key role...
- March 17, 2014PoliticalThe All Party Parliamentary Group on RE has published a summary report following a five-month inquiry into the contribution of RE to good community relations. The inquiry, co-ordinated by Dr...
- March 12, 2014EducatorsThis case study describes how Broughton Business and Enterprise College in Preston actively involves students in their learning in religious education through an imaginative curriculum, high quality teaching and...
- February 26, 2014Young AmbassadorsOn Monday 24th February, Young Ambassadors for RE from The Redhill Academy gave a presentation at Westminster, on RE's contribution to cohesive society. Their presentation, which was part of the...
- February 24, 2014Educators, Media releasesCharities react to funding gap for trainee RE teachers: tales of hardship prompt trusts to respond to ‘rank discrimination’ A new fund to support trainee Religious Education teachers wanting to...
- February 1, 2014REC BlogIn my last blog post, I said I believed RE had turned a corner, but there was much work still to do. The RE Council is in good heart,...
- January 20, 2014Media releasesStephanie Rothwell is 21 and is doing a PGCE in RE at Liverpool Hope University having completed a degree in Theology and RE. She is responsible for the support and...
- January 1, 2014REC BlogLast year I said that I thought 2013 would be a make or break year for RE. I am glad to be able to say as we enter 2014...
- November 29, 2013EducatorsNATRE’s fifth survey on the impact of the English Baccalaureate on religious education in secondary schools is published today and reveals that a third of community schools and over a third...
- November 12, 2013REC BlogSince the launch of the report of the RE Council’s RE Review in the House of Commons three weeks ago, we have had two or three significant developments....
- October 30, 2013Media releasesComment from John Keast, Chair, Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC) on schools continuing to flout Religious Education laws "RE is falling through the cracks as state schools...
- October 29, 2013EducatorsOn Wednesday 23rd October, the launch of “A Review of Religious Education in England” took place in the Palace of Westminster, hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)...
- October 27, 2013REC BlogWhat a time this is proving for RE! Three weeks ago we had the publication of the Ofsted report on RE, RE: realising the potential and a huge amount of coverage...
- October 25, 2013EducatorsThe RE Review report is now published following eighteen months of development work and consultation. The full report includes the curriculum framework, a discussion of the wider context for RE...
- October 23, 2013Media releasesNew framework for RE in England outlines best practice The Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) publishes new guidelines for RE today. The revised teaching framework for RE in...
- October 17, 2013Young Ambassadors On Friday 11th October, five Young Ambassador for RE teams journeyed down to London to take part in a day conference, coordinated by Sarah Smalley and Helen Harrison of...
- October 6, 2013EducatorsThe long-awaited latest Ofsted religious education report has just been published. John Keast, Chair of the Religious Education Council for England and Wales, said: The Religious Education Council is disappointed but not...
- October 6, 2013REC BlogMany people will have heard news today of the publication of the long awaited Ofsted long report on RE, RE: realising the potential and the reporting of it in the media....
- September 16, 2013EducatorsThe case study offers an insight into an outstanding and innovative scheme led by Newbury Park Primary School whereby sixth-form students from schools in the borough have been trained...
- September 2, 2013REC BlogAugust saw the publication of RS GCSE and AS/A Level results. Congratulations to all students on their success and many thanks to their teachers. I am delighted that both...
- September 1, 2013EducatorsThere is support for Religious Education, says Trust An educational charity has stepped in to boost RE teaching after the government’s withdrawal of money. Culham St Gabriel’s, a leading trust...
- August 30, 2013Media releasesOverall GCSE Religious Studies exam entries in 2013 have fallen as a result of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate, according to analysis by the Religious Education Council of...
- August 19, 2013EducatorsThe RE Council welcomes the increases in AS and A Level Religious Studies entries again this year. In the past ten years A Level numbers have increased by 87%,...
- August 8, 2013REC BlogI hope that you are not reading this but are taking advantage of the holiday season and doing something else, but for those many of you who keep on...
- July 5, 2013REC BlogA highly significant meeting at Lambeth Palace took place on 3 July. The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called together a large number bishops and Diocesan Directors of...
- July 4, 2013Media releases, PoliticalSecretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has admitted that RE has become an "unintended casualty of reforms" and has committed the Department for Education to "revitalising the conversations...
- June 27, 2013PoliticalYoung Ambassadors for RE made a big impression when they spoke to MPs on Monday 24th June 2013. The focus of this APPG meeting was to celebrate the best...
- June 21, 2013EducatorsThe lack of time allocated to RE during initial teacher training courses leaves primary school teachers feeling under-prepared to teach the subject when they arrive in the classroom, according...
- June 14, 2013REC BlogOne of the great concerns of the whole RE community at present is not only the current shortage of qualified and trained RE teachers but the prospect of this...
- May 24, 2013Young AmbassadorsYoung Ambassadors at St Bede's Inter-church School in Cambridge tell us about their activities this term: Since becoming ambassadors we have been really eager to promote the importance of religious...
- May 23, 2013EducatorsPhase 2 of the RE Subject Review is progressing further. Task Group 1, led by Graham Falgate, has completed its work and draft materials for RE in the light...
- May 21, 2013Political, Young AmbassadorsYoung Ambassadors from the Venerable Bede CE Academy tell us: This is one of our latest developments in the Young Ambassador project. We have recently contacted our local MP -...
- May 15, 2013REC Blog, Young AmbassadorsThe Young Ambassadors team from the Venerable Bede Church of England Academy wanted to get a different cultural perspective. We heard that a Bishop was going to be visiting...
- May 13, 2013REC BlogIn my first blog post, I highlighted the cumulative effect of the government’s changes to education on RE as ‘distinctly challenging for the whole RE community'. This remains the case....
- May 6, 2013REC Blog, Young AmbassadorsOur Young Ambassadors for RE team at Venerable Bede Church of England Academy wanted to try to expand the idea of promoting RE beyond our school to the local...
- May 1, 2013EducatorsPhase 2 of the RE Subject Review is well under way. Task Group 1, led by Graham Falgate, has been producing draft materials for RE in the light of the...
- April 28, 2013REC Blog, Young AmbassadorsThe team of Young Ambassadors for RE from The Redhill Academy have been busy asking their school big questions in an effort to get all pupils thinking philosophically. This...
- April 10, 2013REC BlogWelcome to the new RE Council blog! It comes at an important time for RE. The cumulative consequences of the government's changes to education for RE as distinctly challenging...
- April 5, 2013EducatorsThe RE Council would like to extend congratulations to Little Heath School, a special school in Redbridge, after it was placed first in this year’s Accord Inclusivity Award, run...
- March 18, 2013Media releases, PoliticalAll party report ‘RE: The Truth Unmasked highlights lack of support for and provision of qualified RE teachers A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education...
- March 18, 2013Media releases, PoliticalOn Friday, 15th March Stephen Lloyd MP visited the Cavendish School in Eastbourne, where he met with staff and pupils in the RE department which has as an excellent...
- February 8, 2013Educators, PoliticalComments on Michael Gove’s statement in the House of Commons and DfE publication of new arrangements for the national curriculum, GCSEs and school accountability on 7 February 2013 from...
- February 8, 2013EducatorsThe Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) scheme was introduced by the government in 2011. SLEs are outstanding middle and senior leaders who have the skills to support individuals or...
- February 8, 2013EducatorsWe are delighted that the Government has decided to abandon plans to replace GCSEs with the English Baccalaureate Certificate (EBC). We have made it clear for a long time that...
- December 10, 2012EducatorsThis good practice resource offers a tried and tested way of planning and teaching RE for pupils with special needs. It addresses many of the concerns expressed by teachers...
- November 29, 2012EducatorsStatement from the RE Council in relation to the University of Oxford’s press release on the teaching of Christianity in RE. John Keast OBE, Chair of the Religious Education Council...
- November 26, 2012Media releases, PoliticalA group of cross party MPs has joined forces to launch an inquiry into the supply of and support for teachers of Religious Education (RE) in all schools. The inquiry...
- November 6, 2012PoliticalThe All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Religious Education was launched on Monday, 11th June 2012.
- October 22, 2012Educators, PoliticalCommenting on the Department’s MORI survey of 618 state-maintained secondary schools to assess the effects of the EBacc, John Keast, chair of the RE Council said: “The EBacc has sent a...
- October 19, 2012Educators, PoliticalDear Mr Clegg, We were delighted to hear of your remarks about the importance of education following your visit to Auschwitz with the Holocaust Educational Trust. We agree, “Indifference and...
- October 15, 2012EducatorsThis paper on Qualifications Reform tries to bring together what is happening in qualifications reform in England, and to tease out the implications for Religious Education (RE) and for Religious...
- October 15, 2012Educators, REC BlogThis paper tries to bring together what is happening in qualifications reform in England, and to tease out the implications for Religious Education (RE) and for Religious Studies (RS).
- October 12, 2012Educators, PoliticalDear Mr Gove, The vocal responses to Gary Lineker's 'eating grass' comments on Al Jazeera only go to show how important religious literacy is in our society. It should not...
- June 24, 2012Media releasesA report published today warns that Religious Education is already being marginalised as a consequence of being left out of the 2010 English Baccalaureate and is set to disappear...
- June 11, 2012Educators, Media releasesNew research reflects public endorsement for high-quality RE in schools. Good quality RE is widely understood to be at risk of being squeezed out of the curriculum despite it being...
- June 10, 2012Media releasesNew research published today reflects public endorsement for high quality Religious Education (RE) in our schools. Good quality RE is widely understood to be at risk of being squeezed...
- March 30, 2012Media releases, PoliticalMinister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb, has asked the Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) to consider excellent practice in RE teaching and present its findings...
- February 17, 2012Media releases, PoliticalToday, the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh and Muslim faiths, the British Humanist Association and professional RE teaching associations are joining forces to support...
- January 26, 2012EducatorsThis case study shows how a secondary school transformed staff and students’ perceptions of religious education by reinvigorating teaching, the curriculum and the profile of the subject across the school....
- May 24, 2011EducatorsSmannell and Enham Primary School has effectively integrated ‘Philosophy for Children’ (P4C) within RE, in the context of implementing an innovative cycle of learning which lies at the heart...
- May 23, 2011EducatorsMeeting of REC Officers with Nick Gibb Minister for Schools 19 May 2011 At their meeting with the Minister, Brian Gates, John Keast and Deborah Weston pressed the unintended negative effects on...
- December 15, 2010Educators, Media releases, PoliticalResearch among young people, including school leavers and those in full-time education, indicates that Religious Education (RE) is a valued subject that leaves a lasting impression on those who...
