Christianity is not just another ‘worldview’
Syllabus plans undermine RE teaching: please respond
The Department of Education is consulting on a new draft core syllabus for Religious Education. RE is mandatory in all grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland (except nursery schools), and must include any teaching specified in the core syllabus. Although the new syllabus maintains Christianity as the “core element” of RE, for the first time it also requires teaching about non-religious views following a legal ruling last year.
The consultation closes on 30 September 2026. Please respond today.
Helpfully, the core syllabus must still be “based upon the Holy Scriptures” in all state-funded schools. The judges also acknowledged that Christianity remains the “most important religion in Northern Ireland” and that it can form the “greater part” of RE teaching.
The teaching of non-religious worldviews such as atheism has no place in Religious Education. The draft syllabus risks misrepresenting Christianity and other religions as merely ‘worldviews’. There is a danger that non-religious beliefs will in practice be presented as ‘neutral’ positions.
Christians need to respond to this consultation in order to defend Christianity’s place in RE in Northern Ireland. Please use our briefing to help you.
Ways to respond
Online form: the.ci/renirespond26
Email: RE.Review@education-ni.gov.uk
Post:
Curriculum Team
Department of Education
Rathgael House
Balloo Road
Rathgill
Bangor
BT19 7PR
The draft syllabus is available here: the.ci/renisyllabus26