Open Letter to the Department for Education

Addressing the Lack of Initial Teacher Education Bursary and Subject Knowledge Enhancement Funding for Religious Education

20th January 2026

To: The Rt Hon Secretary of State for Education,

Department for Education,

Sanctuary Buildings,

Great Smith Street,

London SW1P 3BT

We, the undersigned funders and supporters of educational excellence, write to you with grave concern regarding the current absence of initial teacher education (ITE) bursaries and subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) funding for Religious Education (RE) in England.

The Importance of Religious Education

Religious Education plays a vital role in fostering understanding, tolerance, and respect among pupils of all backgrounds. It is a subject that equips young people with critical thinking skills and the ability to engage thoughtfully with diverse beliefs and worldviews. In an increasingly pluralistic society, but more divided society, the value of RE cannot be overstated; it is essential for promoting social cohesion and preparing pupils for life in modern Britain. The recent Curriculum and Assessment Review reiterated the importance of the subject stating:

We have heard that RE provides a space for pupils to learn about human mutuality and reciprocity, that it develops their capacity to understand one another, and that it supports strong, secure, and confident communities with good relationships. Given the role that religion, belief and values play in local, national, and international events, it continues to be vital for children and young people to have access to high-quality RE.

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Current Funding Inequities

Despite RE’s recognised importance, aspiring teachers of the subject are currently excluded from receiving ITE bursaries and from accessing SKE funding. The lack of funding creates unnecessary barriers for talented graduates who wish to enter the profession. Consequently, schools struggle to secure qualified teachers, undermining the quality of RE provision. Currently, 51% of those teaching RE do not have a qualification in the subject[1]. Some of signatories of this letter are now filling this funding gap to ensure the RE teaching profession of the future is recruited and retained.

The Lived Experience of Beginner Teachers

RE PGCE student, 2024-25 Without having a bursary, I would have struggled with childcare costs with my youngest and also the minimum you expect to live including rent, utility bills and food.

RE PGCE Student 2025-26 I am a mother of two young children. The one factor that has granted me the possibility of taking on this new career opportunity is the £10,000 bursary that is available for PGCE students in my subject for September 2025 entry.

RE PGCE Student 2025-26 Many students such as myself do not live with their parents but live in private accommodation and have to travel to university or their placements on a limited budget. The bursary has helped me afford season tickets and travel costs to both the university and the placement school.

RE PGCE 2024/25 The bursary was crucially important to my decision to do a PGCE. I realised when I was doing research that a PGCE would involve a lot of travel over fairly long distances. The nearest place I could do a PGCE in my preferred subject was just under an hour away. I knew I would have to be making this journey frequently. I also knew I could be placed a fair distance away for my school placements.

Impact on Recruitment and Quality

The absence of bursaries and subject knowledge enhancement funding has resulted in fewer applications to train as RE teachers, as candidates are compelled to consider their financial circumstances when choosing their specialism. Thirteen out of the last fourteen years RE has not reached its recruitment target. This not only limits the pool of potential educators but also risks diminishing the subject’s status within schools. The current policy inadvertently communicates a lack of commitment to RE, despite statutory requirements for its delivery in the curriculum. This is particularly concerning following the Curriculum and Assessment Review recommendation that RE becomes part of a national curriculum.

A Call for Urgent Action

We respectfully urge the Department for Education to review and rectify this inequity. Specifically, we call for:

• The immediate introduction of ITE bursaries for RE trainees, bringing the subject into line with other priority areas.
• The reinstatement and expansion of SKE funding for prospective RE teachers who may require additional subject expertise prior to training.

Conclusion

If England is to maintain its reputation for educational excellence and inclusivity, it must invest in all subjects that contribute to the rounded development of its young citizens. Supporting those who wish to teach Religious Education is not only an issue of fairness but also a statement of the country’s commitment to preparing students for a diverse and interconnected world.

We look forward to your response and to working together to strengthen the future of Religious Education in our schools.

Yours sincerely,

Aliya Azim MBE, Interfaith Co-ordinator of the Al-Khoei Foundation, Al-Khoei Foundation

Nancy Benham MBE, Deputy Chair of Trustees, The Rock Foundation

Revd Canon Dr Sarah Brush, Vice-Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon and Trustee of St Christopher’s Educational Trust

Dr Andrew Fowler, Chair, St Hild and St Bede Trust

Revd Mary Hawes, Trustee, St Christopher’s Educational Trust

H M Henderson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Farmington Trust Ltd

John Hind, Director of Education and Leadership., The Rank Foundation Ltd.

Sarah Holmes, Chair of Trustees, St Christopher’s Educational Trust

Derek Holloway, Chair of Trustees, All Saints Educational Foundation

Derek Humphrey, Secretary, Hockerill Educational Foundation

Ian Jones, Director, St Peter’s Saltley Trust

Dr Peter Kent, Chair of Trustees, St Peter’s Saltley Trust

Jonathan Leigh, Chair of Governors, Sarum St Michael Educational Charity

Andy Malcolm, Trustee, St Christopher’s

Chris Martin, Director, St Luke’s College Foundation

Derek McAuley, Chair of Trustees, The Hibbert Trust

Suzannah O’Brien, Director, The Bishop Radford Trust

Peter Sweeney, Director of Education, Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster

Lady Susie Sainsbury, Chair, Jerusalem Trust

Rev’d Prof David Wilkinson, Chair of Religious sub-committee, Sir Halley Stewart Trust

Dr Kathryn Wright, Chief Executive, Culham St Gabriel’s Trust

Dr Linda Whitworth, Chair of Trustees, Culham St Gabriel’s Trust

Diane Wood, Governor, Sarum St Michael Trust and former Head of Religious Studies at South Wiltshire Grammar School

For media and other enquiries please contact hannah@cstg.org.uk

[1] https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-01-06/117942