Report on the teaching provision of Religion, Values and Ethics in Schools in Wales

A central remit of the National Centre of Religious Education for Wales is to provide free academic expertise and pedagogical support in the subjects of philosophy, religion, and ethics to teachers and students from GSCE to Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) levels through a variety of activities including workshops, revision sessions, and Continual Professional Development (CPD) events. Since October 2022, the Centre has received a steady stream of negative reports and feedback from primary and secondary teachers across Wales over the implementation of the new curriculum for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE).

In Wales, the Curriculum and Assessment Act, which came into being in September 2022, renamed ‘Religious Education’ (RE) to ‘Religion, Values and Ethics’ (RVE) with the stipulation that it be a compulsory subject for all students aged 3 to 16. It was subsequently integrated into the Humanities Area of Teaching and Learning.

To clarify the problematic issues received by the Centre and to ascertain potential remedies, the Directors of the Centre, Dr Joshua Andrews, Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, and Prof Lucy Huskinson, and a research assistant, Ms Rachel Healand-Sloan, conducted investigative research using qualitative and quantitative questionnaires circulated to teachers of RVE across Wales. Responses were anonymised. Responses were received from 58 schools across 17 different Welsh counties and boroughs, and from primary and secondary schools, special educational needs schools and those specialising in lifelong learning. 34 responded through the medium of English and 24 through the medium of Welsh.