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8: A summary of the history and background of Religious Education in English schools and associated legislation
RE has played a part in education in England ever since the earliest attempts, in the nineteenth century, to establish a national school system. The first schools had mainly a charitable or religious foundation.
Under the 1870 Education Act new schools were established, run by local authorities with their curriculum to include Religious Education of a non-denominational character.
The Education Act of 1944 similarly required that all schools (other than independent schools) should provide 'religious instruction', while allowing both teachers and parents (on behalf of their children) the right to withdraw.
This arrangement survived largely unchanged until the 1988 Education Reform Act which established a mandatory National Curriculum of ten subjects. Religious Education was added to those to make up the 'basic curriculum' albeit as the one subject from which pupils or teachers might withdraw.
The Education Act of 2002 was largely concerned with the financing, governance and definition of different types of school. Section 80 (1)(a) stated the requirement for Religious Education to be provided for all registered pupils in accordance with the 1998 Education Reform Act - School Standards Framework - Schedule 19.
Acts of Parliament can be accessed at:
The most recent legislation affecting schools is the Education Act 2005 which included new procedures for the inspection of schools at:
www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2005/ukpga_20050018_en_1
and the Education and Inspections Act (2006) at:
www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060040_en_1