Government could challenge High Court ruling over RS GCSE
The High Court ruled that the Department for Education’s (DfE) claim that the new GCSE would ‘fulfil the entirety of the state's [religious education] duties’ was ’false and misleading’.
The legal case was launched by the families of three pupils who argued that the new qualification would sideline humanism and give pupils the impression that religion has a ‘monopoly on truth and morality’.
The DfE has said that it disagrees with ‘some aspects’ of the court’s decision, and that the government is seeking leave to appeal directly to the Court of Appeal over the ruling after the High Court refused it permission to appeal.
A DfE spokesperson said: “We fully accept there is a proper place for the consideration of non-religious worldviews in a religious education curriculum.
“The judgment does not require changes to the structure or content of the new RS GCSEs. The new GCSEs will ensure pupils understand the diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs in Great Britain. In future, for the first time, all pupils studying RS GCSE will need to study two religions rather than just one.”
Latest News
26/09/2025 - 11:08
Three schools have been fitted with solar panels over the summer as part of a government-funded scheme, with eight more schools set to get their solar panels this autumn.
25/09/2025 - 09:51
Charity Speech and Language UK has published its whitepaper in lieu of the delays to the government’s own Schools White Paper – delays which are damaging children’s education, mental health and future.
25/09/2025 - 09:34
The scheme will see high-achieving young people from disadvantaged areas receive letters from students at Kings College London, encouraging them to consider a university education.
24/09/2025 - 10:22
A coalition of over 60 leading organisations from the UK’s creative and digital industries, alongside education experts, are calling on the government to introduce a new Digital Creativity GCSE.
24/09/2025 - 09:59
The Government’s Youth Hub programme – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues, will almost double in number thanks to £25 million new investment.
