This posting contains a message from the Aulre EXEC sent to members earlier in the year to Dr Vanessa Ogden CBE.
AULRE EXEC. March 17th 2026.
Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education
Dear Vanessa,
I am writing in my capacity as the Chair of the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and
Education (AULRE) on behalf of the AULRE executive committee.
AULRE Executive wishes to extend its support for the principle of Religious Education (RE)
entering the English National Curriculum. This should help resolve the current disjuncture
between the 1988 Act and recent case law and help alleviate inconsistent provision across the
country. We are delighted therefore that the UK Government is taking a sustained interest in RE,
recognising the contribution RE can make to the education of all our children.
We see this moment as presenting new opportunities to strengthen the subject, since securing
RE’s place in the National Curriculum alone may not be enough. Strategic support now for the
provision of high-quality University-based specialist RE Initial Teacher Education (ITE), both
undergraduate and postgraduate, will make a significant difference. We also request attention is
given to ensuring that University departments of theology and religious studies continue to
thrive. Protecting this pipeline of subject expertise will contribute to securing the supply of
knowledgeable and well informed RE teachers now and for the future.
AULRE would welcome opportunities to continue to contribute and play a supportive part in
future consultations regarding proposed Programmes of Study (PoS) and other developments
for the subject.
Yours Sincerely,
Patricia
Patricia Hannam PhD FRSA
Honorary Research Fellow. University of Exeter.
Chair. Association of University Lecturers in Religious Education (AULRE