Transferor Representatives’ Council statement following UK Supreme Court ruling
Following a UK Supreme Court ruling that the Christian religious education (RE) taught in schools in Northern Ireland is unlawful, the Transferor Representatives’ Council has welcomed the Department of Education’s confirmation that it will issue prompt guidance regarding the implications of the decision.
A statement issued today by the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) reads as follows:
The Rt Reverend Andrew Forster, the Bishop of Derry & Raphoe and Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council on behalf of TRC wishes to express to all pupils, parents, teachers and governors that we stand with them in the uncertainty that this judgement has created. The TRC welcomes the Department of Education’s confirmation that it will issue prompt guidance regarding the implications of today’s UK Supreme Court decision.
The Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC) welcomes the statement from the Department of Education of Northern Ireland that it will issue urgent guidance for schools in respect of today’s judgement from the Supreme Court. Pupils, parents, teachers and governors need immediate certainty regarding the implications of the ruling in respect of the teaching of Religious Education and of collective worship in schools.
Bishop Forster, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council said: “We have been waiting for a long time for this ruling from the Supreme Court, but we are disappointed with the outcome. Today’s judgement raises many questions for our schools as we now move forward beyond the judgement of the Supreme Court. Pupils, parents, teachers and governors all need the guidance promised by the Department of Education as to the standing of the religious education curriculum and the place of collective worship in our schools. The TRC, which is recognised by the Department of Education as the body representing the Transferor Churches in matters relating to education and particularly school governance, will continue to build on the decades of work on behalf of our Churches and school communities.”