Time to update school worship and RE for modern Britain, UK Government told

Peers in the House of Lords have again pushed the UK Government for reforms to make school life more inclusive for pupils of all faiths and beliefs during the last day of the Report Stage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. 

All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) member Baroness Lorely Burt tabled two amendments, one (Amendment 231) to replace compulsory collective Christian worship in schools of no religious character with inclusive assemblies ‘that support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.’ The second (Amendment 232) sought to make religious education (RE) inclusive of humanism. Both of these are supported by Humanists UK, which has long campaigned for a repeal of collective worship laws and for a reform of RE.

Reforming collective worship

Speaking to Amendment 231, Baroness Burt stressed that the change did not seek to ‘ban prayers, Christmas carols or the marking of religious festivals’. Rather, the amendment sought to end the mandatory requirement of Christian worship in schools that had no religious character. She told peers that:

‘Maintaining a blanket duty of daily Christian worship in schools without a religious character is increasingly out of step with the country we serve and insufficiently respectful of families with no religion. This amendment would provide more genuine choice, not less, and allow non-faith schools to be properly inclusive community schools for every child.’

Her amendment was supported by Liberal Democrat Education Spokesperson, Lord Storey, who called on the Government to ‘face up to the reality of the situation’ of schools not carrying out collective worship in its current form. Green peer and APPHG member, Baroness Bennett also supported Baroness Burt’s amendment, telling peers that inclusive assemblies ‘could be a really useful time’ to help prepare young people in

‘developing cultural interests, developing artistic interests, developing a love of the theatre or a love of music, all things that help people prepare for a rich and satisfying life—that is what we need our schools to be doing much more of.’

RE inclusive of humanism

On Amendment 232, which sought to make RE inclusive of humanism, Baroness Burt acknowledged that work was going on to reform RE following the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s landmark recommendation that the subject should be on the National Curriculum. However, she reminded peers that consensus between education professionals and faith and belief groups was required to make this recommendation a reality. This was not a done deal, and her amendment was ‘a modest, clarifying amendment that ensures that, whatever the structure of RE, pupils must learn about non-religious beliefs as well as religions.’ 

Summing up, Baroness Burt argued that a more inclusive RE was good for young people, but also for promoting cohesion:

‘It matters that children and young people learn about non-religious belief systems alongside the major religions not as an operational bolt-on but as an integrated part of understanding the beliefs, values and ways of life that shape modern Britain. For the many pupils who are themselves from families of no religion, it matters that the curriculum recognises and reflects a non-religious, ethical outlook and, for all pupils, it strengthens respect and literacy about differences — religious and non-religious alike.’

Government response

Responding for the Government, Education Minister Baroness Smith of Malvern said the Government is ‘committed to collective worship in schools’, but also acknowledged the need for clearer direction. While there would be no repeal of collective worship, the Minister told peers:

‘We plan to publish updated guidance later this year on collective worship in England to make expectations clear, including objective, pluralistic and critical delivery to give schools practical support.’

On RE, she said inclusive teaching can already include non-religious worldviews under existing law and pointed to ongoing work on a draft RE curriculum, but said peers ‘should not pre-empt that work by making changes now.’

Responding to the debate, Humanists UK Policy and Campaigns Manager, Lewis Young, said:

‘Baroness Burt’s amendments were about making school life more inclusive for every child and young person, and we thank her for her long-standing campaigning on this issue. Updating the guidance only goes so far, collective worship requirements are out of step with today’s society, and Amendment 231 would have gone some way to address this.

‘We also strongly believe that RE should be inclusive of humanism. The Minister is right to point to the review process, which we strongly support. Amendment 232 would have complemented that process, bringing case law such as Fox into legislation, and not leaving the inclusion of humanism in RE to chance.’