Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that all state-funded schools are meeting their statutory obligation to teach religious education as part of a broad and balanced curriculum.

Good quality religious education can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures. That is why religious education remains compulsory for all state funded schools, including academies and free schools, at all key stages.

The Department does not routinely monitor schools to ensure that they meet their statutory duties, but when made aware that schools are not fulfilling their legal duties, it will investigate.

All schools are expected to publish their curriculum by subject for each academic year on their websites. Guidance on this makes specific reference to religious education.