--- title: "Draft RE syllabus marks progress, but still risks keeping Christianity at the centre" date: "2026-07-01T09:08:05+01:00" modified: "2026-07-01T09:12:19+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/07/01/ni-re-review-promises-progress-but-warns-proposals-continue-to-centre-christianity/" post_id: 193514 categories: ["Education", "News", "Northern Ireland"] --- # Draft RE syllabus marks progress, but still risks keeping Christianity at the centre ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/iStock-2215936823.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&ssl=1)Northern Ireland Humanists has welcomed the publication of the [draft Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus ](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/RE%20Core%20Syllabus.pdf)for public consultation, noting it as progress towards a broader religion and worldviews approach, but warns that the proposals centre Christianity and education regarding religions over equal learning about non-religious worldviews. The review followed the [Supreme Court ruling *JR87*](https://humanists.uk/2025/12/12/landmark-supreme-court-ruling-must-lead-to-end-of-christian-by-default-in-ni-curriculum/) that the exclusively Christian teaching of RE and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools amounted to indoctrination and breached the rights of a non-religious child and her father. The four largest denominational Churches drafted the current RE syllabus. Humanism is absent from it, and pupils are taught exclusively Christian RE until Key Stage 3. The [new draft](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/RE%20Core%20Syllabus.pdf), which will be put to public consultation, marks a clear shift in language, stating that RE should include religious and non-religious worldviews and be objective, critical, and pluralistic. The draft syllabus was developed as part of the Northern Ireland Review of Religious Education, led by Professor Noel Purdy OBE of Stranmillis University College. However, Northern Ireland Humanists said the draft still gives Christianity a special structural role from the very beginning of school, which it [warned against](https://humanists.uk/2026/03/19/time-end-to-christian-by-default-re-say-northern-ireland-humanists/) in its response to the previous call for evidence. For example, in Foundation Stage, Christianity remains the central focus, with introductory examples from Judaism and/or Islam, while pupils are expected to have only an ‘awareness that some people hold non-religious worldviews’. That is not enough, especially when *JR87* concerned a young primary-school child. The youngest pupils are the least able to distinguish between learning about religion and being encouraged into religious belief, so this is exactly where objective, critical, and pluralistic education needs to begin with a balance of teaching about religion and humanism. Northern Ireland Humanists also raised concerns over the description of agnosticism and atheism as non-religious worldviews in Key Stage 2. Atheism and agnosticism are positions about belief in gods or knowledge and doubt. A [worldview](https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/teaching-about-humanism/what-is-and-isnt-a-worldview/) like humanism is a person’s way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world. #### **Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:** > ‘This draft is a real improvement on what came before. It recognises that RE must be objective, critical, and pluralistic, and it finally begins to include non-religious worldviews such as humanism. > > ‘But the Department must go further. Christianity is still given a special structural role throughout the syllabus, while humanism is not clearly guaranteed. The Supreme Court was clear that children must not be indoctrinated through RE or collective worship. If this reform is to be genuinely rights-compliant, pupils need a curriculum that teaches Christianity, other religions, and non-religious worldviews fairly, accurately, and without privileging one religion above all others.’ Northern Ireland Humanists said it will respond fully to the public consultation and continue to press for a syllabus that reflects the diversity of children and families in Northern Ireland. #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at or phone 07918 975795. Read more about our work in [Northern Ireland](https://humanists.uk/northern-ireland/). Read the [draft curriculum](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/RE%20Core%20Syllabus.pdf). [Read our response to the RE Curriculum Review](https://humanists.uk/2026/03/19/time-end-to-christian-by-default-re-say-northern-ireland-humanists/). [Read the Supreme Court’s *JR87* ruling](https://humanists.uk/2025/11/19/supreme-court-rules-exclusively-christian-re-in-ni-is-indoctrination/). [Read the NI Executive’s response to the ruling](https://humanists.uk/2026/02/03/success-re-in-northern-ireland-to-be-reformed-following-supreme-court-ruling/). Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. 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.