Write to Your MP
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See below a list of our current requests of MPs and Lords as well as a template letter for you to use and send to your MP, asking them to act on these too.
1. The Reintroduction of Subject Knowledge Enhancement Grants
We are particularly concerned by the Government’s decision to withdraw Subject Knowledge Enhancement Grants (SKEs) for Religious Education in April 2024. SKEs are short courses that provide a baseline knowledge that allow students to train to be RE teachers. In 2020,21 More than a third of RE trainees who took an Initial Teacher Training course did so via a SKE. They are crucial to the future of the RE teacher workforce.
Last academic year, the Department of Education missed its target for RE teachers by more than 22%. We are deeply concerned that the loss of SKEs will only compound this chronic under-recruitment of RE teachers.
Policy Ask: That the Government reintroduce Subject Knowledge Enhancement Grants for Religious Education for 2025.
2. The Expansion of the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Bursary for Religious Education
The Religious Education Policy Unit welcomed the introduction of an ITT bursary for Religious Education for the 2024 to 2025 academic year. This was a long term policy ask for the REPU, and is crucial in addressing the chronic under-recruitment for RE teachers which has seen the Department of Education miss its recruitment targets in 13 of the last 14 years.
However, we are concerned that the current bursary of £10,000 does not go far enough and falls well short of the £26,000 offered to prospective Geography and Language (including ancient language) teachers.
Policy Ask: That the Government confirm its continued commitment to Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Bursaries for Religious Education and expand provision to match Geography and languages at £26,000.
3. The status of Religious Education in the curriculum should be on a par with the subjects in the National Curriculum
Despite legal obligations to teach Religious Education, the fact that RE does not enjoy the same status as National Curriculum subjects, is a continued barrier to ensuring the adequate allocation of classroom time and high-quality provision of Religious Education for all pupils.
In response to the 2023 OFSTED report, that calls on the Government to update non-statutory guidance on RE, the Religious Education Council has developed a National Content Standard for Religious Education in England which should inform the findings of The National Curriculum Review
Policy Ask: That in this second phase of the Curriculum and Assessment review, the panel consult widely on possible solutions to the challenges facing RE including the introduction of a National Content Standard and the advantages and disadvantages of RE being included in the National Curriculum.
4. Message your MP to meet us at the Labour Party Conference – 2025
The National Association for Religious Education (NATRE) is once again heading to the Labour Party Conference this September to press for the importance of Religious Education (RE) in English schools. As the Curriculum and Assessment Review led by Prof Becky Francis advances, any proposed changes to RE will be presented to Members of Parliament—especially the majority who represent the Labour Party—to make the final call on RE’s future.