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RE Today is a not-for-profit charity that supports teachers, schools and others involved in religious education.

The past few months have been one of great importance for the place of religious education (RE) in the curriculum. Those of us in the RE world have seen the subject wax and wane over many years, but these recent developments see change on the horizon.

RE has always been a statutory part of the curriculum, and in recent years we have seen school leaders recognise the importance of RE in supporting children and young people as they go out into an increasingly diverse world. Its power to support social cohesion through developing knowledge and understanding of pupils’ own and the faith of others is paramount in a challenging and impactful curriculum.

The world of RE across all schools has put great store on the development of disciplinary knowledge, and RE Today has been developing the ways of knowing pedagogical approach ever since. It was clear that this is something that teachers of RE have taken on board, and in agreed syllabuses we have seen the importance of disciplinary knowledge at the heart of a taught curriculum. Outside of the curriculum, it was clear that for pupils to understand their own beliefs and those of others that the place of RE for personal development is secure, and that for teachers of RE it has been affirmed that personal knowledge is a crucial element in studying religions and worldviews.

Curriculum and assessment review

Even more came from the publication of the curriculum and assessment review, which spoke of the task and finish group to establish whether RE should be part of the national curriculum. There have been times in the past years when we thought that RE would become part of the curriculum, but the recommendation that RE be placed into the curriculum, with the caveat that stakeholders agree, is one welcomed by many in the RE community. 

With the task and finish group to establish whether RE should be in the national curriculum due to report in 2026, this could be the year of change and development for RE alongside the other subjects. All of us in the RE world are keeping our eyes and ears open to see what change comes our way.

To stay ahead of the changes taking place in RE we can provide you with a specialist RE adviser to support you and your school(s). Get in touch by completing our consultancy form to start a conversation and let us know what you need: go to www.retoday.org.uk/consultancy/consultancy-enquiry-form/.

Special rates on INSET days and consultancy available to NAHT members only. Book using promo code NAHT26 before 30 April 2026 for training days up to 23 October 2026.