Supreme Court Northern Ireland: Givan launches RE review – but focus still Christianity and worship stays
Education Minister Paul Givan has responded to a landmark Supreme Court judgement on religion in schools by saying he has no plans to change school worship - and that Christianity will continue to provide "the core focus for RE in Northern Ireland".
Announcing a comprehensive review of Religious Education (RE) in light of the judgement, he said that schools can continue to be teach RE lawfully in the meantime – if "additional, objective, critical and pluralistic material” is added to the existing core syllabus.
The review has been welcomed by both the three main Protestant churches and the Northern Ireland Humanists, which did however call for “a full review” of collective worship
The Northern Ireland Humanists broadly welcomed the plans, but called for “a full review” of collective worship
In November the Supreme Court found the provision of RE in NI schools does not does not approach the subject in an “objective, critical and pluralist manner”.
The case was brought by a Belfast primary pupil (JR87) whose parents objected when her school taught her how to say grace before meals. The court found this crossed the line from education into "indoctrination".
However the judgement also said "Christianity is the most important religion in Northern Ireland" and affirmed that both RE and assemblies should continue to focus primarily on it.
Education Minister Peter Givan wrote to schools soon after, telling schools “that both Religious Education and collective worship continue to be a legal requirement” and affirmed the Supreme court's judgement that both assemblies and RE should continue to focus on the Christian faith.
Today he announced a comprehensive response to the judgment, including plans for legislation to ensure "robust, transparent and accountable" inspection of RE in all schools.
There are no plans to change arrangements for collective worship in all schools, he said.
The review of the RE Curriculum will be led by Professor Noel Purdy of Stranmillis College Belfast and Joyce Logue, former Principal of Long Tower Primary School in Londonderry.
They will be supported by an expert group of teachers from all sectors and will engage with churches, teachers, school leaders, parents and young people.
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.”
He added: “Given our historical, cultural and legal foundations, it is right that Christianity continues to provide the core focus for RE in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Professor Purdy said he was “delighted” to lead the review adding that he was confident that working with stakeholders across NI, they can “develop an academically robust RE curriculum that prepares children and young people for life in modern society”.
The Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), representing the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, welcomed the minister’s announcement.
As they handed much of the school estate into state care mid-20th century, they retain much legal influence in the controlled sector.
They had been pressing the minister for an RE review for years as they believed the subject must be updated to help children understand a more pluralist society. However they said the minister had been awaiting the outcome of the legal challenge.
The TRC also said they had also been asking for RE to be part of the general inspection process in schools, and that they welcomed clarification on the right of withdrawal from worship and RE.
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented: “We welcome the Minister’s announcement that the writing of the RE syllabus in Northern Ireland will no longer be controlled by the four largest Christian churches, but will now be subject to a full review led by education professionals. This is the right step forward to making sure young people are given a broad, balanced, and pluralistic RE, and we look forward to engaging with the review process.
“While the announced changes to collective worship are also welcome, changes to the withdrawal process only go so far in resolving the wider issue. The Supreme Court was clear that withdrawal was insufficient, and in our view a full review of the requirement is still needed.”