Latest News

An analysis of the provision for RE in Primary Schools – Autumn 2024

18/11/2024

NATRE is pleased to release the 2024 survey of primary religious education. We were encouraged that 557 teachers kindly responded to this survey which makes this our most comprehensive survey to date.

Spirited Arts 2025 - Inspiring students to explore big questions through art

15/11/2024

NATRE is proud to announce the launch of the Spirited Arts Competition 2025. This global competition invites students to use their creative talents to explore profound questions about religious and non-religious worldviews.

NATRE celebrates World Vegan Day with announcement of Animal-Themed competition winners

01/11/2024

We are delighted to announce this year's entries to the Spirited Arts competition on the theme "Why Do Animals Matter?" Sponsored by Animal Interfaith Alliance (AIA) and Veganism in Education (VinE) for the second year running.

Bursaries appear to have boosted the number of trainee teachers of RE in England in 2024/5

31/10/2024

We are pleased to pass on the news that, for the second successive year, the government will award a bursary to those who wish to train as teachers of Religious education in England in 2025/6.

NATRE calls on the government to reverse the illogical decision to cut subject knowledge enhancement grants

28/10/2024

NATRE are shocked that despite RE, yet again, missing its recruitment target for training in 2024-25, the present government has made such a short-sighted decision. The provision of SKE courses boosts recruitment by about a third.

Winners of the Spirited Arts competition 2024 revealed!

25/10/2024

We are excited to announce the winners of five of the six themes in this year’s Spirited Arts competition, which celebrates creativity in schools nationwide and beyond!

Pupil responses to the Curriculum and Assessment Review

17/10/2024

NATRE urges teachers to gather pupil feedback on Religious Education for the government's curriculum and assessment review. Teachers are asked to submit up to 12 responses by 8th November 2024, highlighting what students like and would improve, helping ensure an inclusive and well-rounded curriculum

Education leaders must meet the demand for high quality Religious Education

11/10/2024

NATRE executive member, Greg Parekh makes the case for more opportunities to study Religious Studies at A level in FE News.

Interfaith Week for Schools 2024: Celebrating Diversity and Unity

24/09/2024

NATRE is proud to be part of Interfaith Week for Schools 2024, an important event in the school calendar, designed to celebrate the rich diversity of faiths, beliefs, and communities within schools and beyond.

The Future of RE Infographic - 2024

20/09/2024

This infographic sets out our judgements on the state of Religious Education in English schools. We will be using this at the party conferences and in other discussions with policy makers to inform them of case for a National Plan for RE

Flash Survey: A-Level RS Teachers invited to share views on A* Standards

18/09/2024

NATRE is conducting a flash survey to gather the views of A-level Religious Studies teachers regarding the award of A* grades. This forms part of ongoing discussions with Ofqual and awarding organisations about the standards applied in A-level RS assessments.

Nearly one in six schools breach law by failing to provide RE in year 11, new data reveals

13/09/2024

Nearly one in six schools in England have reported to the Department for Education that they do not provide Religious Education in Year 11, despite the legal requirement, according to the latest data from the National Association of Teachers of RE, leaving many pupils without RE education from the age of 14.

Letter from Katie Freeman: Welcoming Angela Hill as Director, and exciting changes ahead

12/09/2024

As we enter a new academic year, we reflect on leadership transitions and exciting plans to serve our members better.

How do attainment 8 scores differ for pupils that take and do not take RS GCSE

23/08/2024

The data represented not only do non-disadvantaged pupils score more highly when they take GCSE RS, but disadvantaged pupils score significantly higher.

Calls for National Plan as a quarter of a million students take GCSE Religious Studies

22/08/2024

RE is the most neglected subject in terms of resources per student say subject leaders in appeal to new Education Secretary.

Do we need a new focus on a curriculum for community cohesion?

15/08/2024

NATRE School Workforce Report 2024

A level RS does not appear to be available to all students on an equal basis

15/08/2024

A level variations by county 2024

Why do A* grades appear more difficult to achieve in RS than in other subjects?

15/08/2024

Awarding of A star grades RS A level 2024

A level Religious Studies is a good preparation for a range of degrees

15/08/2024

Subject combinations for A level RS 2024

A level entries for RS in England remain stable over time in England but continue to decline in Wales

15/08/2024

This report from NATRE demonstrates how entries for RS A level have faired over the years.

We will be at the Labour Party - Get your MP to meet us!

19/07/2024

Over half of the members of the parliament in the new government are new. We need to make sure all MPs are briefed about the challenges faced by teachers of Religious Education.

Black and Asian people twice as likely to choose RE teaching as a career

16/07/2024

NATRE reported recently about the people who teach RE and the specific challenges we face in recruitment and retention. The data from the initial teacher training census 2023 – published by DfE December 2023 presented in the graph below shows our findings about the ethnicity of people who choose RE teaching as a career.

Infographic to show recruitment issues in RE

11/07/2024

Labour Government has pledged to recruit 6,500 expert teachers. To inform the Government about the recruitment issues within RE, NATRE has collected ideas and has analysed data about different challenges around the country. We look forward to further discussions with members of the DfE ministerial team now that they are in government.

Fond Farewell to Fiona Moss and a Warm Welcome to Angela Hill

17/06/2024

After over a decade of dedicated service to NATRE as CEO, we announce with mixed emotions that Fiona Moss is moving on to pastures new.

Election 2024: RE Policy Unit Urges Next Government to Back National Plan for Religious Education

23/05/2024

As the general election approaches, the RE Policy Unit, a collaboration between NATRE, the REC, and RE Today, has issued key demands for the next government. They call for a National Plan for Religious Education (RE) and highlight four critical issues.

Religious Education Council launches new curriculum toolkit to help teachers deliver high quality RE

02/05/2024

Outcome of three-year religion and worldviews project will help teachers update their existing curriculum following Ofsted warning that schools need to ‘add depth’ to their RE lessons.

OFSTED: ‘Deep and meaningful? The religious education subject report’ April 2024

17/04/2024

NATRE is pleased to see that the long-awaited Religious Education report from OFSTED, Deep and meaningful?(hyperlinked) The religious education subject report, has been published. The report, once again clearly demonstrates the importance of Religious Education as an academically rigorous and personally inspiring subject helping young people make sense of the complex, multifaceted nature of belief in modern Britain.

NATRE calls for funded subject knowledge enhancement courses to be retained after April 2024

25/03/2024

Deborah Weston's testimony representing NATRE to the Education Select Committee at the Palace of Westminster. What's the reasoning behind the upcoming funding cuts for teacher training, specifically focusing on Religious Education (RE)? Highlighting concerns about their potential negative impact on teacher recruitment, particularly in subjects like RE that already face challenges.

Free Webinar: Navigating difficult conversations in schools and colleges in times of conflict

20/02/2024

This webinar offers the chance to explore topics in schools, including ongoing conflicts in Israel and Palestine.

New Editor for REtoday magazine

12/10/2023

Exciting news in the world of Religious Education (RE) as Angela Hill, NationalRE Adviser based in Cardiff, assumes the role of Editor for the widely acclaimed REtoday magazine.

Good news for Religious Education bursaries!

10/10/2023

Good news for Religious Education bursaries, but challenges remain in the recruitment of secondary RE specialists.

RE Council launches National Content Standard

03/10/2023

NATRE is pleased that the RE Council of England and Wales has launched its National Content Standard for Religious Education in England.

NATRE Speak at Oral Education Select committee hearing on Recruitment and retention

20/09/2023

NATRE spoke to the Education Select Committee about the impact of teacher training shortages in RE, highlighting its importance in a session reported by Schools Week and TES. RE was recognised as a shortage subject, and an open letter was sent to the Secretary of State calling for more support for RE.

Open letter published about RE in the Telegraph today!

18/09/2023

An Open Letter has been published today by the Daily Telegraph. More than 30 MPs and peers have written to the Education Secretary, highlighting that school pupils receive tokenistic religious education or none.

RE Today Services Welcomes Ian Nicholson as National RE Adviser.

14/09/2023

RE Today Services is thrilled to announce the latest addition to their Adviser team at RE. Ian Nicholson, a highly experienced and passionate teacher, Ian will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the organisation.

NATRE analysis of GCSE and A level examination data for Religious Studies reveals interesting variations between nations and regions

14/09/2023

Reports compare RS in England & Wales. Short course removal impacted qualifications; A level entries stable in England, declined 33% in Wales (since 2020). Further investigation needed.

Strictly RE is back with a twist!

08/09/2023

Everything you love about Strictly RE without having to leave your home.

Your Voice Matters: NATRE's Call to Action to ask your MP to meet us now!

08/09/2023

NATRE needs you, our members to support this work. You can get involved by contacting your local MP or Councillor and asking them to meet with our team to talk about high-quality RE for all pupils in all schools.

Shortage of RE teachers “dangerous cycle” within religious education

08/09/2023

The shortage of religious education teachers has been highlighted in a Religion Media Centre briefing. Only six people have come forward to train as RE teachers in Wales, and in England, no RE teacher training courses have reached their target of entries.

Religious Studies remains a popular GCSE despite specialist teacher recruitment challenge

24/08/2023

Quarter of a million students risk being neglected" says Father of the House, as teacher applications fall.

Bromsgrove schools take part in creative art competition - Spirited Arts

10/07/2023

An article in the Bromsgrove Standard reports that Bromsgrove schools take part in creative art competition on theme inspired by late MP Jo Cox

The RE Hubs website is LIVE!

27/06/2023

RE Hubs, led by Claire Clinton, has launched www.re-hubs.uk, a one-stop website for the RE community. It offers resources, CPD, event listings, and connects teachers, speakers, and local groups. The aim is to enhance communication, confidence, and sustainable RE provision.

Shared Space project features in a DfE research report on social integration in schools and colleges.

12/06/2023

The Department for Education (DfE) has released an independent research report examining approaches to promote social integration in schools and colleges. This report includes the highly anticipated Shared Space project, a collaboration between NATRE and the University of Bristol. Discover how this project applied contact theory to Religious Education, fostering social cohesion among students.

Religious Studies provisional examination entries holding steady in England but a worrying decline in entries for A level in Wales.

12/06/2023

At GCSE, data for England published by Ofqual on 1st June shows Religious Studies GCSE entries have seen an increase of 6% to more than 245K. However, it is disappointing that several other subjects threatened by the English Baccalaureate and associated school performance measures are continuing to see a fall in numbers.

NATRE Secondary Survey 2023

12/05/2023

NATRE is conducting this secondary survey (its tenth) to obtain information about the current state of RE in all types of schools so that it can continue to support the teacher in the classroom by raising awareness of the impact of government policy on RE. Surveys like this help us when talking to key stakeholders and that is critical at the moment given the ongoing recruitment crisis for teachers of RE.

Two-thirds of secondary early career teachers rate subject knowledge training as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’

02/05/2023

The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) has conducted a flash survey among secondary school teachers in their first two years in the profession. The survey found that almost two-thirds of respondents rated the programme’s teacher standard of developing good curriculum and subject knowledge as either poor or very poor...

New RE teacher recruitment campaign kicks off as popular GCSE subject faces staff shortage

07/03/2023

Parliamentarians and faith and belief groups join calls to attract a new generation of teachers to the subject

Children's commissioner shares her view on RE

13/02/2023

A member of the NATRE executive, Shammi Rahman, recently interviewed The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza.

Why does the rate of entry for GCSE Religious Studies vary so much around England? Does the 2021 census provide part of the answer?

13/02/2023

In answer to a parliamentary written question asked by Janet Daby MP and answered by Nick Gibb MP in January, the minister provided a table ranking each local authority in relation to the number of entries for GCSE Religious Studies in 2022.

Another great Strictly RE!

07/02/2023

NATRE hosted its annual virtual conference Strictly RE this year on January 28 & 29. We had over 30 practical sessions, numerous exhibitors and we welcomed circa 400 delegates.

Minister admits that most teachers of secondary RE mainly teach another subject.

31/01/2023

In response to the parliamentary written question asked by Janet Daby MP, minister for school standards; Nick Gibb MP admitted that 51% of the total number of secondary teachers of RE spend most of their teaching timetable delivering a different subject.

Veganism as a worldview in RE

20/01/2023

FREE RESOURCES to support teaching about the moral status of animals and Ethical Veganism as a worldview in RE

“The real measure of a person isn't the challenges but how you respond to them”

24/11/2022

What do primary teachers say about RE in their schools?

08/11/2022

The results and findings from the 2022 NATRE Primary survey are in.

Cross-party calls for RE National Plan after Westminster debate

03/11/2022

Shadow Education Minister Stephen Morgan says a Labour government will deliver a ‘well-rounded’ education and challenged the Government for its failure to introduce a National Plan for RE.

Farmington Scholarships 2023/24 are now open!

27/10/2022

These are Scholarships available to teachers of religious education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools...

Record number of young people enter ‘big picture’ competition

12/10/2022

30,000 young people from across the globe have taken part in a major competition to express their views on some of the biggest questions in life through art. A record-beating total of 3,196 entries from 523 schools were submitted for judging, an 18 percent increase on last year.

Bursaries desperately needed for RE

11/10/2022

Please use this infographic to write to your MP about this today, and ask them to speak to ministers. You can make a difference.

A National Plan for Religious education is urgently needed!

26/09/2022

A National Plan for Religious education is urgently needed as one in five schools report including no lessons of the subject on their timetables.

The Regional RE Hubs team is ready to go!

09/09/2022

Céline Benoit, Chair of the Regional Hub Steering Group, is delighted to announce the full team of Regional Leads that will be representing and supporting their region in the new RE Hubs project.

A level Religious Studies results prompt call for government support

18/08/2022

Two decades of growth in A level RS at risk over a five year funding crisis says the Religious Education Council as Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley warns the Government must not ‘let down’ young people.

Poor (or no) RE is a gaping hole in the curriculum

17/06/2022

In this Schools Week news article, a data review of religious education paints a mixed picture, writes Sabah Ahmedi, yet it is crucial to human experience and a broad and balanced curriculum.

Snatching defeat from victory

31/05/2022

How the Department for Education has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Keep reading for further information.

School and government performance on religious education failing record number of students, says landmark data review

16/05/2022

Neglecting RE leaves ‘gaping hole in the school curriculum’, says Father of the House Sir Peter Bottomley in the wake of the Government’s commitment to level up education across the country.

Regional Hub Leads needed! Apply today!

09/05/2022

We are seeking Regional Hub leads to support the Regional Infrastructure Project. Closing date for applications has been extended to 5PM Wednesday 15th June 2022!

Draft Handbook for Religion and Worldviews in the Classroom

05/05/2022

The RE Council has published its Draft Handbook for Religion and Worldviews in the Classroom: Developing a Worldviews Approach project.

Appointment of a new Lead Director for Regional Hubs

28/04/2022

The Religion and Worldviews Infrastructure Steering Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Clinton as Lead Director for Regional Hubs. Claire is taking up her consultant role in May.

Minister recognises implications of White Paper for structures that support RE

27/04/2022

A question tabled by former SACRE member Janet Daby MP has prompted this important statement by Minister for Schools, Robin Walker MP. NATRE will be pleased to take up this offer to work with the new 'arms-length curriculum body' in partnership with other stakeholders in high quality RE.

Schools Minister commits to working with teachers on curriculum resources.

22/04/2022

We were pleased to read the statement from Minister for schools; Robin Walker MP in response to parliamentary questions tabled by Kim Leadbeater MP in partnership with the RE Policy Unit.

Religion and Worldviews: What parents need to know.

11/04/2022

Deborah Weston, NATRE Research Officer explains what parents need to know regarding teaching religious education with a worldview approach in schools via

A round up of this month's RE news

01/04/2022

NATRE along with key RE stakeholders have been busy lobbying to raise the profile of RE. Here is a summary of this months activity.

New report from the Parliamentary Round Table: Religious Education

22/03/2022

New report from the Parliamentary Round Table: Religious Education in England: Underfunded and Undervalued?

‘Once in a career’ opportunity for RE leaders and teachers to help shape the future of the subject

10/03/2022

The Religious Education Council (REC) is calling on the country’s most talented leaders in RE to participate in an influential project to help shape the future of RE in England and Wales.