National Curriculum: Religious Education

Lord Houghton of Richmond Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I must confess that I do not know the Truro report in detail, but I am happy to look at it. The right reverend Prelate raises very important points. The positive thing is that religious education, while not compulsory, is still a very popular subject at GCSE and A-level. We need to make sure that it is promoted and that there is a real understanding of its relevance and importance in today’s climate.

[Lord Houghton of Richmond (CB)]

My Lords, the national security strategy and the strategic defence review both talk of the need to build societal resilience in an age of hybrid attacks. I understand that the national resilience Bill, which is to come before the House, deals exclusively with regulation in the world of cyber. Does any revision of the national education curriculum not allow a golden opportunity for the introduction of resilience education and training of our youth, along the lines of what happens in Finland and Sweden? My first command experience was as a six year-old milk monitor, and I found that this gave me certain skills that were very valuable in later life.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I will not recount the experience of some of our milk monitors in our school. The noble and gallant Lord raises an important point. Of course, the curriculum is important, but as I mentioned before, skills such as helping young people move towards a position of resilience, fostering good relationships, and restorative practice are crucial and need to go along with a broad curriculum to help young people move forward.