Is RE a mandatory GCSE subject?

My DD has ended up doing full GCSE because the half course exam disappeared or something. Seems to be a GCSE for not a lot of effort so she's not complaining.

Schools are great at time wasting, assemblies, RE, PHSE, Welsh, French, Shakespeare, Lord of the Flies, Hockey, Netball, Careers, needlework, cookery all these were a considerable waste of my time.

"But friday it isn't mandatory at GCSE for all pupils"

So instead they could study it, but not do the GCSE. If that makes you happy. Speaking as a hardline atheist who can find Papists under any bed, it's a good GCSE, well taught in my kids' school.

But then, I've read your thread on your views on ICT. Speaking as a thirty year IT industry veteran with a first degree in computer science, now taking a sabbatical to do a full-time PhD in computer science, I'd rather my kids did GCSE RS. You, obviously, know better, and I defer to your deeper knowledge.

It is mandatory to study it! It's just not mandatory to sit the GCSE exam.

Our school do a course that is mostly philosophy and ethics, and they only have 1 lesson a week. Those that will manage do the full GCSE exam, others the half GCSE, and those that won't manage it aren't entered at all- there's no pressure put on the pupils in terms of their other subjects that way.

BTW- loads, really loads go on to do it in our 6th form (I think half the 6th form last year!) Obviously because it's a good course, and complements many AS/A2 s too- the AS/A2 we do is also more ethics/philosophy too.

I loved RE it was interesting and we learnt about all religions which only further confirmed my atheism (although was lucky to have a brilliant teacher who taught us to critically analyse all the inconsistencies in different religious teachings)

I'm really glad I did it as I love to discuss argue the fine points of theology even now (and often know more about for example the bible than some Christian friends)

But I still maintain it should be an option, not mandatory.

Then good luck repealing primary legislation, specifically S.80(1)(a) of the 2002 Education Act. That traces back to the 1944 Education Act (S.25 et seq, if we're keeping score) via the 1996 At (S.376-ish, I can't quite recall) and, I suspect, to earlier legislation on school boards, although I've never looked it up. It was the price exacted by the established Church for folding their schools into the state system, and it's unimaginable it could be repealed without nuclear warfare (the CofE own a lot of real estate, and could if it wanted to take its ball home close the schools and sell the land for housing).

It doesn't really help the stats much anymore because RS is not part of Gove's EBacc. Although at the same time he insists it must be taught in some way through KS4. At my school it is covered in PSHE and PD lessons and then RSS is offered at GCSE level as an option. It is actually growing in popularity at the moment as more of the students become aware of the philosophy element of the course.

I pulled DD out of RE (Citizenship & Ethics) because she was doing enough GCSEs IMO (she already has the equivalent of 6 & is taking another 7) I didn't think she needed RE & IT on top of that.

More recently we have pulled her from one of the classes as part of flexi-schooling; which is helping but doesn't solve DD's problems

A school can make ANY subject it likes a 'core' GCSE (ie one that all students take). It's up to THEM not the government (although they can't opt out of the ones the government DOES rule on, such as English or Maths). You'll have to find another school if you object that much.

You do realise that RE (or Religious ethics and Philosophy as it's more widely known) is a FANTASTIC GCSE to prepare students for A Level/uni don't you? I'm a history teacher and I hugely value the contribution that RE makes to students' ability to argue and write coherent, meaningful essays.

They also debate ethical issues that society NEEDS them to consider such as abortion or euthanasia... why on earth would you not want that??

The religious aspect is important too. We're looking at terrorism in the modern world in history at the moment, I can't imagine trying to teach that (surely one of the most relevant subjects I can teach in history, in terms of students' lives in the modern world) with a group of kids who DON'T know the basic beliefs of and differences between muslims, christians and jews...

... not to mention the other religions that they study.

Again - why WOULD you not want that? Studying world religions is VERY different to 'doing Christianity', which is NOT was RP&E is these days.

As has been said above, the only three compulsory subjects at GCSE are English, maths and science.

Some schools make all kids do a GCSE in RE in addition to the above three. A school local to use does this, though it does not say so in their literature, which can cause some friction with those that did not know.

I think it helps their stats. It also has the obvious effect of taking away a GCSE option from those kids who don't really want to do RE.

Even if you opted him out of the actual GCSE he'd still have it on his timetable as others have said its compulsory, as are maths, English, science, citizenship and PE.

My dd is debating abortion and euthanasia as part of her RE lessons - don't knock it!

Oh, forgot to mention, DS's school teaches it from year 9 onwards like an intro to philosophy course - it's definitely about different approaches to big questions.

It surprises me how many issues come up in school when you think you have all bases covered and your research indicates the school will really suit your DC. Believe me this is nowhere near as galling as a school offering a subject at GCSE and then not offering it at A level when continuation of the subject is vital to your DCs university applications. This is truly naughty as changing schools may be the only option. Half and R E GCSE not too much of a sacrifice but you should have known beforehand so you can make a informed decision if this is the school for you or not. They all have their quirks though .

It is school policy, if they are insisting on an exam.

That it must be taught is a requirement in all state schools.

My DCs school obey the law and teach it to KS4, and as they have to teach it, they also enter all pupils for at least 1/2 a GCSE (1 paper). Most students choose to sit 2 papers, so may get a whole GCSE.

The RE they do involves studying moral issues, seeing what at least 2 religions say about it, and then in the exam answering questions on them. My DS got a dreadful grade because he somehow forgot it was an RE exam so he was supposed to mention God/Religious belief in the answers.
It doesn't take much time from other subjects and can be a nice extra. (It takes 1 lesson a week.)

I know it's the lack of choice you're annoyed about OP but on a positive note if it's the full GCSE R.E. he's doing I don't think its regarded as a 'soft' option at all and it's good preparation if he fancies doing philosophy at A level.

IMO it's better than some of the other compulsary subjects some schools do like general studies a-level or a lot of school IT qualifications.

But they won't get any extra time to focus on other subjects, as they still have to do that time for RE anyway. If you withdraw them you have to provide something for them to do, they aren't allowed to use it as private study time.

Doh!! Should read valuable areas of learning. Been a long day!

Tbh both my kids of experience of RE is very far removed from how I remember RE at school. Its not just about religion anymore - it covers that alongside ethics and philosophy and both my DC love some of the ethical and moral dilemmas that the subject allows them to discuss. They have covered subjects such as abortion, animal rights, discrimination and war which I believe are all valuable of learning. I believe that schools are obliged to teach it beyond KS3 but I think as a parent you can opt out. My DD loves it so much she's considering doing it at A-Level. We are not a religious family either btw.

RE was a great GCSE. I don't remember learning about any actual religions beyond year 9, from then on it was all philosophy and ethics type stuff.

Defensive, moi? No, but you seem to be looking for a fight....