What if schools stop teaching RE?

The place of Religious Education in schools has been diminishing for decades now. Which is leaving many Christians (and vocal Christian organisations) with some questions.

  • Where will young people learn about the Christian faith?
  • Is secular humanism winning in our Education system?
  • What will form the basis for our young people’s morality?
  • Will Christianity be diluted by exposure to other faiths?
  • How will we justify future school visits?

These are, I believe (and forgive me) entirely the wrong questions with entirely the wrong attitude.

Let’s do some pedantic answers first.

Where will young people learn about the Christian faith?

Exactly where they’re supposed to learn it, through Christian parents and faithful evangelists. It was never the place of the School to do the work of the Church.

Is secular humanism winning in our Education system?

No, in that that’s not the only, single, or collective worldview of the culminative mass of education authorities, exam boards, curriculum writers, teachers, and administrators. It’s a little naïve and conspiratorial to think ‘education’ gets together in a room once a year and decides what to think. And yes, in that that is (very) broadly the worldview of the Western world we interact with. Were you expecting anything different? The gospel is taken to the world, we’re not meant to derive the gospel from it.

What will form the basis for our young people’s morality?

Once again, we’re you expecting the education to do the job of the church – or even the job of the Holy Spirit? Schools have an important role teaching young people to enter the workforce – and some level of practical morality comes with that, but that 1) isn’t limited to RE, and 2) that wouldn’t, by default, come from the same place as Christians.

Will Christianity be diluted by exposure to other faiths?

Only if you assume that the place of the Schools is to amplify or distinguish the Christian faith to begin with. I’d rather it didn’t; again, that’s our job. I don’t think that’s been true since, at least Rousseau in the 18th Century. There’s unfortunately a lot of strange Christendom attachment in all of these questions. I also believe that the Christian faith holds its own just fine when tested without needing to censor other views.

How will we justify future school visits?

Through creativity and servant-heartedness. I’ve been visiting schools for years, and although I do teach in RE lessons, that’s a small part of my schools’ work. If we begin with a conviction to serve the young people in school rather than proselytize them, then we build healthier relationships and can focus our explicitly evangelistic efforts on our own terms and spaces, rather than hijacking others.

So, what would we lose?

Traditionally, RE has filled a unique place within education by teaching critical thinking, and giving reflective space to explore the more complicated depths of ethics and philosophy. It’s been an important space to ask ‘why?’ while allowing young people room to wrestle with real life issues and case studies.

Although some of this has become the purview of ‘Personal and Social Education’ (PSE) lessons, along with assemblies, enrichment and extra-curricular ventures, a lot of the critical and explorative aspects have disappeared from Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculums. It has also disappeared, in no small part, from the sciences, mathematics, history, and English lessons too. Teachers, with us, feel this loss, because they too want young people to learn how to think critically and ethically.

This is something worthy of lament. We don’t want young people to accept Jesus or ‘swallow the gospel’ blindly. If they do, then they are unlikely to receive it in its entirety or they’ll find that it doesn’t function naturally in their lives when they grow. We want young people, convicted by the Holy Spirit, to make healthy and informed decisions to follow Jesus.

So, what can we do?

Look for ways to serve the school you know, and within them, the pupils. Meet with teachers and senior staff and find out what the unique local needs are. Serve the school. There are always ways to do this, and – under this attitude – schools tend to be very receptive.

Three ideas you may not have tried:

  • Offer services outside of RE teaching first – especially in areas schools struggle to maintain or provide for. So mentoring, assemblies, helping on trips, helping as a Teaching Assistant, working with additional needs, etc.
  • Offer to be a school governor or trustee. As a community youth worker, a charity sector worker,  possibly a parent, or just an interested and informed (and DBS checked) local resident, you could add real value. This puts you in the driving seat and connects you with all the right people. Also look into attending ‘Parents, Teachers and Friends Association’ (PTFA) meetings.
  • Connect with government oversight groups. If your area has one, look into getting a seat on your local ‘Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education’ (SACRE). They strongly welcome local church leaders, and usually ask them to chair. You can also sit down with your ‘Local Education Authority’ (LEA) and ask them how you can best serve.

There are always ways, therefore, to connect deeply and serve effectively in local schools without needing RE directly.

All the best!

 

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

2 replies
  1. Andie Frost
    Andie Frost says:

    I served in local SACREs and my advice is make it a long term commitment – five years plus if you can. If you’re not used to multi-faith forums it can be a little frustrating and some younger denominational reps struggled and opted out, so be aware. Give yourself at least a year to get to grips with procedures and how you can best make a positive contribution and then take the opportunities that will cone as you’re seen to be a trusted and committed member of the council. Above all pray – God created some great moments.

    Reply

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