Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of Religious Education on addressing racial or religious prejudice in schools; and whether she has had recent discussions on improving standards of Religious Education teaching with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Government recognises the importance of providing good quality religious education (RE) for pupils. RE remains a compulsory subject for all state-funded schools in England, including academies, for all pupils up to the age of 18.

The Government’s policy is to allow RE curricula to be designed at a local level, whether that is through a locally agreed syllabus or by individual schools and academy trusts developing their own curricula. The Department does not quality assure, approve, endorse or promote locally agreed syllabuses for RE or any associated resources and materials. The Department has therefore made no formal assessment of the potential impact of RE on addressing racial or religious prejudice in schools.

Whilst RE seeks to educate young people on the importance of tolerance and acceptance of those of all faiths and beliefs, it is not the only subject within a school’s curriculum that does so. For example, all schools have a duty to promote fundamental British values, which includes mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Developing and deepening pupils’ understanding of these values is part of the Ofsted inspection framework, alongside expectations that schools develop responsible citizens and promote an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all pupils, irrespective of their characteristics.

The Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum has a strong focus on equality, respect and the harmful impact of stereotyping, as well as the importance of valuing difference. Guidance can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/teaching-about-relationships-sex-and-health.

Schools should address any intolerant, racist or discriminatory views expressed by pupils through their wider anti bullying and safeguarding policies. All schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy which outlines measures to encourage good behaviour and prevent all forms of bullying amongst pupils. The policy should set out the behaviour expected of pupils, the sanctions that will be imposed for misbehaviour and recognition for good behaviour. This should be communicated to all pupils, school staff and parents. The Department’s advice for schools, which outlines schools’ responsibilities, is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-and-tackling-bullying.

​The Department publishes information, guidance and support for teachers and school leaders on how to challenge radical views, including racist and discriminatory beliefs, on the ‘Educate Against Hate’ website. These resources include the Respectful School Communities toolkit, a self-review and signposting tool to support schools to develop a whole school approach which promotes respect and discipline. This can help to combat bullying, harassment and prejudice of any kind, including hate based bullying. The toolkit is available at: www.educateagainsthate.com/school-leaders/?filter=guidance-and-training-school-leaders .

​The Department is also providing over £3 million of funding between August 2021 and March 2024 to five anti-bullying organisations to support schools to tackle bullying. The Department has deliberately focused this grant programme on preventing and tackling bullying of pupils with protected characteristics. This includes projects targeting the bullying of particular vulnerable groups, such as those who are victims of hate related bullying.

The Department is not aware of any discussions with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on improving standards of RE teaching.