Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what definition her Department used of the Religious Education sector during the curriculum review.

The government has not made assessments about the legislative framework applying to religious education (RE) or the Agreed Syllabus Conference model. We are clear that teaching on RE helps pupils understand the wide range of religions and beliefs, including non-religious beliefs, that exist in our country and the wider world.

The government firmly believes in the importance of religious education (RE). Good quality RE can develop children’s knowledge of the values and traditions of Britain and other countries, and foster understanding among different faiths and cultures.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) recommended that government should explore including RE in the national curriculum, contingent on sector consensus. The sector group has reached a consensus, as such DfE will consult on a draft RE curriculum in line with the national curriculum consultation in September.

Any definitions used in the CAR were a matter for the independent review itself.