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Lord Rook (Lab)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 30 October 2025

Debate

National Curriculum: Religious Education

Contribution

I thank my noble friend for the Answer. My sons were privileged to go to Rutlish School, a diverse state comprehensive in south-west London with no religious affiliation. They received excellent religious education—in fact, it was compulsory until GCSE—that enhanced the community cohesion in a very diverse setting and, most importantly, equipped pupils for the world in which they now live. Currently, 95% of teachers say that high-quality religious education is more important than ever, yet Ofsted reports that, in far too many schools, the delivery of RE is either poor quality or not fit for purpose. At a time when our country and communities need far greater social cohesion, will His Majesty’s Government ensure that religious education is properly prioritised in the new national curriculum, so that our young people can continue to develop and flourish within our multireligious and multi-ethnic world?

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