Thank you for writing to me regarding the proposed changes to religious education (RE) as part of the new Welsh curriculum, and your concerns about the impact that these changes could have in schools.

I would like to assure you that the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill – including changes to religious education – is currently receiving detailed scrutiny by the Welsh Parliament’s Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Committee. The CYPE Committee has received a range of evidence from stakeholders as part of its scrutiny, including from representatives of Religious Education providers in Wales.

My colleague Suzy Davies MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Education and Skills, is concerned about the way in which the Bill attempts to ensure that voluntary aided schools provide a broad and balanced, locally-crafted RE curriculum. However, without sight of any guidance to those who will decide the content of what will be in the local RVE curriculum, it is impossible to tell whether any issues may arise.

Suzy has met regularly with representatives of Catholic education providers to discuss the issues raised in your email, including Angela Keller, the Wales Adviser at the Catholic Education Service (CES), and Paul Barber, Director of the CES.

Suzy has also stated that she will likely be tabling amendments to the Bill through the Welsh Parliament to dispel the concerns of parents over losing the right to withdraw their children from lessons.

Furthermore, I am concerned that the Welsh Labour-led Government has refused to delay the implementation of the new curriculum.  The Welsh Conservatives have previously raised the issue of a lack of preparation time available to teachers when they are experiencing enormous COVID-19 response pressures.  I and my Welsh Conservative colleagues, therefore, will continue to press on giving schools as much preparation time as possible so that the curriculum can be implemented effectively, and to ensure that it delivers upon its aims.  As such, I understand that Suzy will be seeking to allow schools to delay the implementation of the curriculum should they need to.

Yours sincerely

Mark