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Education Minister Paul Givan has announced a comprehensive response to the recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools, including a full review of the RE curriculum and the introduction of formal inspection across all schools.
The Review of the RE Curriculum will be led by Professor Noel Purdy OBE, Director of Research and Scholarship at Stranmillis University College, Belfast, and Mrs Joyce Logue, former Principal of Long Tower Primary School. They will be supported by an expert drafting group comprising teachers from primary and post-primary schools across all sectors, and will involve extensive engagement with churches, teachers, school leaders, parents and young people.
Minister Givan said the review will develop a revised RE syllabus that is academically robust, modern in outlook and fully consistent with the Supreme Court judgment. Following full public consultation, he anticipates bringing forward new regulations in autumn 2026, with the new syllabus implemented from September 2027.
The Minister sees the review it as an opportunity to strengthen RE as an academic discipline. He confirmed that Christianity will remain central to the syllabus, stating that given the region's historical, cultural and legal foundations, it is right that Christianity continues to provide the core focus for RE in Northern Ireland.
Mr Givan also confirmed his intention to introduce legislation within the current Assembly mandate to ensure robust, transparent and accountable inspection of Religious Education, bringing RE into line with inspection arrangements for all other curriculum subjects.
Commenting on the review, Professor Purdy said he was delighted to lead this important review and expressed confidence that working collaboratively with stakeholders across Northern Ireland, they can develop an academically robust RE curriculum that prepares children and young people for life in modern society.
In response to the Supreme Court's ruling on the right of withdrawal from RE and collective worship, the Department has published new guidance to support schools in ensuring that withdrawal is practical, effective and free from stigma. There are no plans to change the arrangements for collective worship which will continue in schools, however the new guidance has been published to strengthen and streamline the right of withdrawal from both it and RE.
The Minister concluded by stressing that while the review proceeds, it is important that schools deliver Religious Education in a way that complies with current law. He noted the Supreme Court was clear that RE can continue to be taught lawfully if schools ensure that additional, objective, critical and pluralistic material is included alongside the existing core syllabus, adding that together, these measures represent a balanced and measured response to the Supreme Court judgment that will strengthen the RE curriculum, introduce inspection and protect parental rights.
