Paul Givan announces overhaul of Religious Education following Supreme Court ruling
- Love Ballymena
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Education Minister Paul Givan has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures in response to a recent Supreme Court judgment on Religious Education (RE) and collective worship in Northern Ireland schools.
The announcement includes a full review of the Religious Education curriculum, the introduction of formal inspection arrangements for RE across all schools, and the publication of new guidance to strengthen and clarify the right of withdrawal for pupils and parents.
While the Minister confirmed there are no plans to change existing arrangements for collective worship, he said updated guidance is intended to ensure that withdrawal from both RE and collective worship is “practical, effective and free from stigma”.
Review of Religious Education curriculum
The review of the RE core syllabus will be jointly 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 made up of teachers from primary and post-primary schools across all sectors. The review process will involve extensive engagement with churches, teachers, school leaders, parents and young people.
Announcing the review, Mr Givan said:
“The Review launched today 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, I anticipate bringing forward new regulations in autumn 2026, with the new syllabus implemented from September 2027.”
The Minister stressed that the revised syllabus would continue to reflect Northern Ireland’s distinctive social and cultural context.
“This is an opportunity to strengthen RE as an academic discipline. Christianity will remain central to the syllabus. Given our historical, cultural and legal foundations, it is right that Christianity continues to provide the core focus for RE in Northern Ireland.”
Inspection and accountability
Alongside the curriculum review, Mr Givan confirmed his intention to bring forward legislation within the current Assembly mandate to ensure that Religious Education is formally inspected, bringing it into line with all other curriculum subjects.
The move is intended to provide greater transparency and accountability in how RE is delivered across the school system.
Response to Supreme Court ruling
The package of measures follows a Supreme Court judgment which clarified the legal position around Religious Education, collective worship and the right of withdrawal.
In response, the Department of Education has issued new guidance to schools on how to implement withdrawal arrangements in a way that protects parental rights while ensuring pupils are not disadvantaged or stigmatised.
Mr Givan said schools must continue to comply with existing legal requirements while the review is under way.
“While this review proceeds, it is important that schools deliver Religious Education in a way that complies with the current law. 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.”
Expert response
Professor Purdy welcomed his appointment to lead the review, highlighting the opportunity to modernise Religious Education while maintaining academic rigour.
“I am delighted to lead this important review. Working collaboratively with stakeholders across Northern Ireland, I am confident we can develop an academically robust RE curriculum that prepares children and young people for life in modern society.”
Background and next steps
Religious Education and collective worship are currently mandatory in all publicly funded schools in Northern Ireland, with the exception of nursery schools, under Article 21 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
RE must also include the core syllabus specified under Article 11 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
Mr Givan said the combined measures represented a proportionate response to the court ruling:
“Together, these measures represent a balanced and measured response to the Supreme Court judgment. They will strengthen the RE curriculum, introduce inspection and protect parental rights.”
Further details were set out in an Oral Ministerial Statement published on the Department of Education website:
The draft Terms of Reference for the review of the RE core syllabus are available at:
Guidance on arrangements for withdrawal from Religious Education and collective worship can be accessed at: