--- title: "Draft Northern Ireland RE syllabus still marginalises humanism" date: "2026-09-07T11:07:26+01:00" modified: "2026-09-07T11:09:18+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/09/07/draft-northern-ireland-re-syllabus-still-marginalises-humanism/" post_id: 197013 categories: ["News"] --- # Draft Northern Ireland RE syllabus still marginalises humanism ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-1200-x-628-px-22.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)[**Act Now: Help make Religious Education inclusive in Northern Ireland**](https://humanism.eaction.org.uk/ReligiousEducationReviewNI) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Ireland Humanists has [welcomed](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/NI-Humanists-NI-RE-Core-Syllabus-consultation.pdf) significant improvements in the proposed new Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus, but warned that more needs to be done to make the subject ‘objective, critical and pluralistic’. The review follows the Supreme Court’s [landmark judgment in *JR87*](https://humanists.uk/2025/11/19/supreme-court-rules-exclusively-christian-re-in-ni-is-indoctrination/), which found that Northern Ireland’s existing arrangements for RE and collective worship failed to meet the requirement for teaching to be ‘objective, critical and pluralistic’. The Court also made clear that a right of withdrawal is not an adequate substitute for an inclusive curriculum. Northern Ireland Humanists [welcomed](https://humanists.uk/2026/02/03/success-re-in-northern-ireland-to-be-reformed-following-supreme-court-ruling/) the Department for Education’s review, and said the [new syllabus](https://humanists.uk/2026/07/01/ni-re-review-promises-progress-but-warns-proposals-continue-to-centre-christianity/) provided an important opportunity to address the problems identified by the courts and make sure all pupils receive RE that respects freedom of religion or belief #### **Worldviews marginalised** In its consultation response, Northern Ireland Humanists warns that humanism remains too marginal within the draft syllabus. Humanism is mentioned only twice throughout the draft, and there is no guarantee that every pupil will study it substantively at any point during compulsory education. It is calling for humanism to be taught as required content throughout the syllabus, with age-appropriate progression from Foundation Stage onwards. Northern Ireland Humanists says the draft has a confused position on belief in gods with a substantive worldview such as humanism and that if implemented as it stands, students could receive no substantive education on non-religious worldviews. #### **Christianity retains privileged ‘core’ element status** Northern Ireland Humanists has also challenged the decision to retain Christianity as the ‘core element’ of RE. It says Christianity should receive substantial attention because of its historical and contemporary significance in Northern Ireland, but should not be given a status that leaves other religious and non-religious worldviews appearing secondary. The syllabus should instead guarantee meaningful study of Christianity, humanism, and an appropriate range of other religious worldviews. #### **Must be about education, not observance** The consultation response also calls for a much clearer distinction between learning about religion and participating in religious practice. The draft refers in places to pupils ‘participating’ in celebrations. Northern Ireland Humanists says pupils may learn through visits, stories, artefacts, and demonstrations, but should not be required to participate in worship, prayer, or religious observance as part of RE. #### **Implementation is key** The success of the new syllabus will depend on how it is implemented, resourced, inspected, and reviewed. The response calls for clear guidance on what ‘objective, critical and pluralistic’ RE requires in practice, improved teacher training and resources, and inspection arrangements that assess whether pupils receive the full breadth of the statutory syllabus in every grant-aided school. #### **Commenting on the new draft RE syllabus, Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator said:** > ‘The draft RE Core syllabus is an important step forward to making RE in Northern Ireland an academically rigorous subject, but significant weaknesses remain. Humanism should be taught as a substantive worldview throughout a child’s education, and not left as an optional extra or confused with atheism and agnosticism. > > ‘The Supreme Court has already made clear that RE must be objective, critical, and pluralistic. The Department now has the opportunity to produce a syllabus that genuinely reflects the diversity of Northern Ireland and gives every child a broad and balanced education.’ The [consultation](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/news/consultation-opens-revised-re-syllabus-following-supreme-court-judgment) is open until 30 September. #### Notes Boyd Sleator at or phone 07918 975795. Read more about our work in [Northern Ireland](https://humanists.uk/northern-ireland/). Read the [draft RE Core Syllabus](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-06/RE%20Core%20Syllabus.pdf). Read our [consultation response](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/NI-Humanists-NI-RE-Core-Syllabus-consultation.pdf). [Act Now: Help make Religious Education inclusive in Northern Ireland](https://humanism.eaction.org.uk/ReligiousEducationReviewNI) 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.