Many individuals challenge RE and whether or not it should be in the curriculum, many atheists and scientists believe it is unnecessary as moral decisions aren’t made through following a religion and are easily obtained through the law for example, Skeie’s concept of modern plurality rejects religious education being taught in schools as it ‘impels us to question our identity and self-understanding over and over again’ (Skeie 1995:87). In order to understand why it is necessary, it is crucial a deeper understanding of the subject area and the topics surrounding it in schools today. The APPG report: The Truth Unmasked, 2013 and Ofsted’s report in 2013 (Gov.uk, 2013) conveys results that when 300 primary schools were taken into account Religious …show more content…
This has alarmed critics as they fear policy could impact the entry levels of students taking RE as a result of being left out of the EBacc. The system measure pupils with good GCSE passes in 5 subjects including a language. The NATRE stated that half the teachers blamed this decline due to the introduction of the Baccalaureate. The decisions not to make RE compulsory ‘hugely disappoints’ the Bishop of Portsmouth, Reverend Christopher Foster, he also states that the ‘religious dimension to our life’ helps us to understand our own self and to understand we are made in the image and likeliness of God. He then continues by saying ‘ The importance of that needs to be recognised in every facet of our community life and that learning to be sensitive is part of a rounded education’. By EBacc becoming compulsory this will enhance the prospects of pupils particularly disadvantaged and will reinforce how EBacc may not be suitable for a number of pupils and that teacher supply particularly in languages could ‘pose problems’ (Premier Christian Radio, 2015) The Westminster faith debate by Charles Clarke and Linda woodhouse (2015) describes recommendations such as improving teacher supply and quality whilst developing better material ensuring that all teachers are ‘religious literate’, The current requirement in statute for an Act of Collective Worship should be abolished. This statement reinforces the importance of RE being taught on the