Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb, has asked the Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) to consider excellent practice in RE teaching and present its findings in a report.  The report will consider the views of teachers, academics and faith and belief organisations. The minister has also offered support to help shape a revised RE teaching framework that ensures RE retains its academic rigour and is in step with the design and style of a National Curriculum. 

Today, the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh and Muslim faiths, the British Humanist Association and professional RE teaching associations are joining forces to support a new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). When it is set up, the new APPG will focus on safeguarding the provision of RE in our schools and explore how the subject can continue to deliver a valuable dimension to the education of all children and young people.

A report published today warns that Religious Education is already being marginalised as a consequence of being left out of the 2010 English Baccalaureate and is set to disappear altogether from the curriculum of many secondary schools. Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove is expected to make an announcement on RE's inclusion in the EBacc by July 19.

New research among young people, including school leavers and those in full time education, indicates that Religious Education (RE) is a valued subject that leaves a lasting impression on those who study it.  This timely research comes as the government sets out its Schools White Paper, calling for a return to traditional humanities-based subjects.