Thank you for writing to me regarding the proposed changes to the Welsh curriculum, and the teaching of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE).
I am committed to working towards developing an inclusive society in which all citizens, regardless of whatever their individual beliefs are, can live together fairly and cohesively. Therefore, the Welsh Conservatives believe that, when it comes to education, it is the responsibility of all schools to ensure that they provide the breadth and challenge anticipated by the new curriculum to help develop enquiring young people. It is important that young people receive an holistic education that gives them the tools to explore issues further, and to treat others with respect and kindness regardless of their religious and ethical views.
There is still a lot of scrutiny to be done but, as we currently see it, the Welsh Conservatives do not agree with the current position within the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill. This allows a child at a faith school to demand that they only receive RVE education in line with the national curriculum, and to not receive any faith-based RVE education.
Instead, we recognise that children attending faith schools do so through their family’s choice.
However, we also recognise that a child has the right to have the same access to the national curriculum, providing an inclusive and stimulating education and a broader range of learning.
No child should be prevented from learning about the beliefs of others, something my own children benefitted from at their school.
We do not see these positions as mutually exclusive and note that far more of the national curriculum is taught in faith schools than is generally understood.
Exactly how RVE is taught in schools should be a local matter and agreed to by school governors to ensure that it connects to the local community and the experiences of learners. However, faith schools must find ways of delivering the whole national RVE curriculum as part of that. Encouraging learners to examine conflicting points of view is part of what we hope this new curriculum will do. What we are not prepared to support is the suggestion that a pupil in a faith school can reject the very ethos of their school by insisting they are taught the national curriculum alone.
Please be assured that the Welsh Conservatives will continue to scrutinise and challenge the Welsh Labour-led Government on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill as it makes it way through the Welsh Parliament, to ensure that it meets its aims and improves the education and lives of young people across the country.
Yours sincerely
Mark Isherwood MS/AS
