A new draft national curriculum programme of study for Religious Education (RE) in England, for the first time to include non-religious worldviews such as humanism alongside the major religions, is to go out to public consultation. Humanists UK, which has long campaigned for all pupils to learn about both religious and non-religious worldviews in an objective, critical, and pluralistic way, has welcomed the move as a milestone towards an RE curriculum that reflects the society young people actually live in.
At present, RE sits on the ‘basic curriculum’. It is compulsory, but its content is set by Academies or locally by bodies known as Standing Advisory Councils on RE (SACREs). The result is a patchwork of provision that Ofsted has criticised as lacking ‘sufficient substance to prepare pupils to live in a complex world’. Placing RE on the national curriculum would set a single, consistent standard for every school.
The RE Task and Finish Group, led by Dr Vanessa Ogden, brought together education professionals and religious and belief groups. Its work follows the report by the Curriculum and Assessment Review panel in November 2025, which called for RE to be placed on the national curriculum through a ‘phased approach’. The Education Secretary had asked for consensus among stakeholders before considering a decision and has now judged that such a consensus has been achieved.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson, who was a member of the group, said:
‘This is a momentous step for inclusion. Young people deserve to learn about the full range of beliefs that shape the world around them. Putting RE on the national curriculum would end the postcode lottery in provision, and including humanism would give every pupil a richer, more relevant, and more rounded education. We have campaigned for this since 1944 and are proud to have contributed to the group’s work under Vanessa Ogden’s inspirational leadership.
‘We will engage fully with the consultation to make the case for an RE that is inclusive of humanism and fit for the modern world, and we encourage others to do the same.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Read more about our work on Religious Education.
Read our submission to the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
Read the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report.
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.