Yorkshire church leaders press MPs for Baccalaureate back-up

Senior Church Leaders from across West Yorkshire are writing to all the region’s Members of Parliament, urging them to sign the cross-party Early Day Motion 1375 which calls for the inclusion of Religious Education among the core academic subject of the English Baccalaureate.

The Government’s model for the English Baccalaureate in schools encourages students to consider five academic subjects, chosen from a shortlist which does not at present include academic Religious Studies.

RE can provide the tools necessary to understand all the major faiths, the diversity of our society, and the complex issues involved in integration and building harmonious communities…

RE is essential for understanding the historical and literary basis of this country, and for the underlying ethical code upon which our society is based.

Early Day Motion 1375 calls for the inclusion of RE among the core academic subjects of the English Baccalaureate. It has cross-party support, reflecting the breadth of public concern about this issue. A number of West Yorkshire MPs have already signed, and the church leaders’ letter is encouraging the other MPs to add their support.

(1)   For expert opinion on this issue, please contact Alastair Ross on 01484 225775 or 07946 722860 or email alastair.ross@kirklees.gov.uk. 

(2)   This item is about Religious Studies as an academic discipline; it does not relate to the wider role of non-examined RE in schools.

(3)   For more on the region’s church leaders working together, see www.wyec.co.uk.