--- title: "Humanist school speakers reach half a million pupils on 10th anniversary of Understanding Humanism" date: "2026-05-19T12:36:33+01:00" modified: "2026-05-19T15:54:02+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/05/19/celebrating-10-years-of-understanding-humanism-as-school-speakers-reach-half-a-million-pupils/" post_id: 190640 categories: ["News"] --- # Humanist school speakers reach half a million pupils on 10th anniversary of Understanding Humanism ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026-19-05-GH-UH-anniverary-image-4-1200x628.webp?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)**Humanists UK is celebrating the 10th anniversary of** [**Understanding Humanism,**](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/) **its education programme supporting teachers and pupils to learn about humanism as part of a broad, balanced education about religion and worldviews.** The anniversary coincides with a landmark of its own: humanist school speakers, trained and accredited by Humanists UK, have now reached half a million pupils since the programme launched. Since 2016, Understanding Humanism has gone from a fledgling service to a major national programme, helping to transform the teaching of religious education across England and Wales. It has produced over 500 classroom resources, supported more than 20,000 people through its online courses, trained 3,000 teachers, and delivered 5,000 school visits. #### **A decade of bringing humanism to life** Among the programme’s most popular resources are its animated films and classroom materials. Over the past decade, Understanding Humanism has built up a library of short films, including a series with broadcaster and scientist Professor Alice Roberts exploring the humanist approach to life, human origins, and humanity’s place in the natural world, and a series with actor and presenter Stephen Fry tackling big questions about happiness, truth, ethics, and death. [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fwhat-is-secularism-animation%2F) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20does%20secularism%20actually%20mean%3F%20%20%0A%0ACheck%20out%20this%20%23HumanistsUK%20animation%20for%20schools%20that%20explores%20how%20secularism%20helps%20create%20a%20society%20where%20everyone%20is%20treated%20equally%20%E2%80%93%20whatever%20their%20religion%20or%20beliefs.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fwhat-is-secularism-animation%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fhuman-nature-human-potential%2F) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Learn%20more%20about%20the%20humanist%20approach%20to%20life%20with%20Alice%20Roberts%20in%20this%20video%20for%20schools%20by%20%23HumanistsUK%20https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fhuman-nature-human-potential%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fone-life-live-it-well%2F) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20can%20we%20live%20a%20good%20life%20%E2%80%93%20knowing%20this%20is%20the%20only%20one%20we%E2%80%99ve%20got%3F%20In%20this%20%23HumanistsUK%20animation%2C%20Alice%20Roberts%20explores%20what%20it%20means%20to%20live%20well%2C%20find%20meaning%2C%20and%20make%20the%20most%20of%20our%20one%20life.%20Watch%20it%20today%20on%20the%20Understanding%20Humanism%20Website.%20https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fone-life-live-it-well%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fwhere-do-we-come-from%2F) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Explore%20the%20humanist%20approach%20to%20science%20and%20our%20evolutionary%20story%20in%20this%20animation%20for%20schools%20with%20Alice%20Roberts%20%23HumanistsUK.%20Watch%20now%20on%20the%20Understanding%20Humanism%20website.%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fres_films%2Fwhere-do-we-come-from%2F) #### The perfect introduction to humanism Last year the programme also launched nine new classroom posters, each answering a key question about the humanist approach to life – covering values, meaning, science, ethics, and more. The posters explore some of life’s biggest questions from a humanist perspective – including how we find meaning, what makes something right or wrong, and how we can live well in the one life we know we have. It is aimed at reaching the many millions of people in the UK who already live by humanist values – such as reason, kindness, and compassion – but who may not yet know that there’s a word for it: humanism. For many people, the term ‘humanist’ is simply a positive way of describing the values that they already have. It conveys a set of principles that humanists have in common, including attitudes towards science, democracy, equality, human rights, individual freedom, morality and ethics, society, and so much more. In the UK, it’s estimated that roughly five million non-religious people already identify as humanists, and that 24 million non-religious people have humanist beliefs and values. **Our *That’s humanism* posters are available here as free, print-ready downloads for teachers, parents, and educators.** Intended as a stimulus to discussion, the posters are designed in A4 format and can be used in classrooms to help pupils explore questions of meaning, morality, and happiness from a humanist perspective. **Simply click on a poster to open it as a PDF, then you can save the file.** [![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/1-55-1200x1500.webp?resize=1200%2C1500&ssl=1)](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025-11-04-GH-Humanism-Campaign-core-a4-printables-1.pdf)[Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funderstandinghumanism.org.uk%2Fwhat-is-humanism%2Fdownload-our-posters%2F) [Share on 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It then reached the next 250,000 in just three more years, reflecting rapidly growing demand from schools for high-quality teaching about humanism and non-religious worldviews. Humanists UK also works closely with local education bodies to improve the inclusion of humanism in religious education. Humanism is now mentioned on almost every locally agreed syllabus in England, and humanist representatives sit on 160 out of 170 Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACRE). Understanding Humanism was created to make sure that every young person has the opportunity to learn about humanism, alongside religious worldviews, as part of a broad and balanced education. Its free resources, school speakers, teacher training, online courses, and Humanist Heritage website support pupils to understand the beliefs, values, history, and lived experience of humanists in the UK and around the world. ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Luke-1-png.webp?resize=14173%2C7417&ssl=1)Pictured: Luke Donnellan#### **Humanists UK’s Director of Understanding Humanism, Luke Donnellan, said:** > ‘When Understanding Humanism launched in 2016, teaching about non-religious worldviews was often overlooked. Many teachers wanted to include humanism, but often lacked the confidence or resources to do so well. > ‘Ten years on, the picture is very different. Humanism is now included in almost every locally agreed syllabus, our resources have been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times, our school speakers have reached half a million young people, and more teachers than ever recognise the importance of including humanism in a rich balanced education about religion and worldviews. I’m extremely proud of all the staff and volunteers that have made this possible. > ‘Every young person should learn about humanism as part of an objective, critical, and pluralistic education. As discussion continues about a new national curriculum for RE, we hope the next decade will see humanism explicitly included in a subject that is fit for purpose in 21st-century Britain.’ #### **Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:** > ‘This work matters because young people deserve an education that reflects the society they live in. A modern education about religion and worldviews must include both religious and non-religious perspectives, taught in a fair, balanced, and rigorous way. > ‘We are proud of what has been achieved in the last 10 years, and excited for what comes next.’ [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=www.humanists.uk/thatshumanism) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20can%20I%20be%20happy%3F%20Narrated%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%2C%20%23Thatshumanism%20explores%20where%20meaning%20in%20life%20comes%20from%20%E2%80%93%20not%20a%20cosmic%20plan%2C%20but%20what%20we%20create%20through%20relationships%2C%20creativity%2C%20and%20the%20world%20around%20us.%20Watch%20the%20video%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Fthatshumanism%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=www.humanists.uk/thatshumanism) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=How%20do%20we%20know%20what%E2%80%99s%20true%3F%20Narrated%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%2C%20%23Thatshumanism%20shows%20why%20science%2C%20experimentation%2C%20and%20evidence%20are%20the%20most%20reliable%20ways%20to%20understand%20the%20world.%20Watch%20the%20video%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Fthatshumanism%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=www.humanists.uk/thatshumanism) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20makes%20something%20right%20or%20wrong%3F%20Narrated%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%2C%20%23Thatshumanism%20explores%20a%20humanist%20view%20of%20morality%20%E2%80%93%20rooted%20in%20empathy%2C%20reason%2C%20and%20our%20shared%20human%20instincts%20for%20cooperation%20and%20kindness.%20Watch%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Fthatshumanism%2F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=www.humanists.uk/thatshumanism) [Share on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=What%20should%20we%20think%20about%20death%3F%20Narrated%20by%20Stephen%20Fry%2C%20%23Thatshumanism%20explores%20a%20humanist%20view%20%E2%80%93%20accepting%20death%20as%20natural%2C%20finding%20meaning%20in%20this%20life%2C%20and%20living%20on%20through%20our%20impact%20and%20in%20nature.%20Watch%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhumanists.uk%2Fthatshumanism%2F) #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only). Understanding Humanism is Humanists UK’s education service. It aims to introduce young people to humanism as a non-religious approach to life which can be studied as an example of a ‘non-religious worldview’. It provides teachers with the resources necessary to teach accurate, high-quality lessons about humanism, and assists them with the development of their own subject knowledge. The Understanding Humanism website offers information and activities, free school speakers who can work with teachers to broaden students’ understanding, and professional learning to support teachers. Visit Understanding Humanism at [understandinghumanism.org.uk](http://understandinghumanism.org.uk/). Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all. #### **What is humanism?** Humanism is a non-religious worldview. Humanists believe that this life is the only life we have, that the universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side, and that we can live ethical, meaningful, and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. They trust the scientific method when trying to understand how the universe works, make their ethical decisions based on a concern for the welfare of human beings and other sentient animals, and seek to make a positive contribution towards building a better society.