Briefing: Does Religious Studies prepare students for diversity at work?

A report on how religion is taught in schools has identified a lack of clarity in the subject content, no consensus around the reasons for studying religion and a lack of time, resources and organisational commitment to teaching RE well. Its findings have reinforced fears that young people are not being well enough prepared to join the workforce in an increasingly diverse society.

The report “Promoting the Exploration of Religion and Worldviews in Schools – Fostering Coherency and Diversity”, by INFORM, the Faith and Belief Forum and the Open University, investigates how a new approach to the subject, which explicitly includes worldviews, could change the landscape.

Researchers surveyed parents, community groups, school heads, and RE specialists to discover the current problems in delivering religious education and explore how religion and worldviews could transform its future.

The survey revealed different expectations from the teaching of religious education, including religious literacy for social cohesion, moral character forming, delivering pastoral help and teaching children how to live well. Those surveyed broadly welcomed the change to religion and worldviews, but cautioned that the subject content and delivery needs clarity.

Panel to include Dr Suzanne Newcombe, reporting on the results of an 18-month project exploring the views of those 'outside the classroom' on the Religion and Worldviews proposal, plus representatives from the Faith & Belief Forum and INFORM.