Religious education in Northern Ireland after the Supreme Court decision: Change, not crisis

The judgment has prompted concern and questions among many Christians. Yet this moment, while undeniably challenging, is also an important opportunity. The Evangelical Alliance is encouraging Christians not to panic, but to engage with confidence, clarity and grace.

A child and her father brought a judicial review against the Department of Education, claiming that the child’s RE and daily Christian collective worship breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights – particularly Article 2 (parents’ rights over their children’s education) and Article 9 (freedom of religion and belief).

The High Court agreed in 2022, but the Court of Appeal later reversed that decision, arguing that parents’ ​“right to withdraw” was sufficient protection. The Supreme Court disagreed, finding that withdrawing a child placed an ​“undue burden” on parents and could stigmatise pupils. It concluded that the teaching and worship provided were not sufficiently ​“objective, critical and pluralistic”.

Importantly, the court did not ban Christian teaching in schools. It simply insisted that Christianity must be taught fairly, with respect for other beliefs.

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The judgment very helpfully and clearly states what this case is not about. Despite some of the unhelpful headlines, this is not about removing RE from schools. The court explicitly stated, ​“No one is suggesting that religious education should not be provided in schools in Northern Ireland.” It is also not about marginalising Christianity. The court recognised that ​“historically and today, Christianity is the most important religion in Northern Ireland”.

The court was also clear that the case was is not about limiting what parents or churches teach at home or in faith communities. The case also makes clear that there is no challenge ​“to collective worship in schools in Northern Ireland being focused on the Christian religion”.

The decision raises practical and structural questions:

• The core syllabus, created by the main Christian churches (Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic), will likely require revision, potentially opening the door to greater input from other belief communities. The churches are already in agreement that the curriculum needed to be updated and are working on this at present. 
• The court criticised the lack of monitoring of RE and collective worship, which may lead to new inspection systems.
• Parents’ rights have been strongly reinforced. While this can be positive in many ways, it may disproportionately affect how schools teach RE if challenged by even a small number of parents.

These are significant changes – but they do not remove Christianity from the classroom.

Despite the challenges, the ruling contains several encouraging elements for Christians. The Supreme Court was explicit in recognising that Christianity holds a central place in the history and contemporary life of Northern Ireland. It also confirmed that RE in controlled schools is still to be ​“based upon the Holy Scriptures”, and that the longstanding legal requirement for daily collective worship of a Christian character remains unchanged. Alongside this, the Department of Education continues to enjoy a ​“wide margin of appreciation”, giving it considerable freedom to shape the curriculum in a way that reflects the culture and context of Northern Ireland.

In practice, this means that schools will continue to teach about Christianity – but with a renewed emphasis on doing so objectively, critically and pluralistically. Many already do this well, and when they do, Christian truth and hope can shine clearly within a plural environment. Far from being a threat to faith, this moment offers Christians an opportunity to communicate with greater integrity, depth and joy.

Northern Ireland’s education landscape is diverse, and the implications of the ruling will unfold gradually. Even so, there are meaningful opportunities for Christians to contribute. Churches and Christian organisations can play a key role in shaping the revised syllabus so that Christianity continues to be taught accurately and thoughtfully. Christian charities and local ministers are well placed to support schools as they continue to deliver daily Christian worship in line with legal requirements.

School governors, who hold significant influence over ethos and policy at a local level, will be central in guiding how the ruling is implemented in practice. And within the day-to-day life of schools, Christian principals, teachers, classroom assistants and support staff can continue to witness to Christ simply by doing their work with integrity, excellence and care for pupils.

Taken together, these opportunities point to a moment not for withdrawal but for wise, relational and hopeful engagement.

Northern Ireland’s education system is diverse, and the implications will unfold gradually. But even now, there are meaningful opportunities for Christian engagement. 

While we cannot provide legal advice, here are a few practical suggestions for those who serve in a school leadership or governance role:

1. Don’t panic.
   Major changes are unlikely in the short term. Nothing in the judgment prevents Nativity plays, Easter services or harvest celebrations.
2. Be alert to external pressure.
   Some campaign groups may push for rapid changes in local schools. Respond calmly and legally. Approach the education authority or department for advice as appropriate. 
3. Review compliance.
   Ensure your school is meeting statutory duties regarding the teaching of RE and the practice of collective worship.
4. Support good practice.
   Consider issuing gentle reminders to staff and visiting speakers that RE should be:
   • objective, critical and pluralistic
   • educational, not evangelistic
   • sensitive to denominational diversity
   • within the ethos of the school.
5. Protect space for Christian witness outside the classroom.
   Student union groups and other voluntary Christian activities are not affected by the ruling and remain vital environments for discipleship, pastoral care and mission within the wider life of the school.
6. Communicate clearly.
   When enquiries arise, state simply that the school is considering the Supreme Court ruling and awaiting updated Department of Education guidance.

Nothing in this judgment diminishes the freedom of Christians to articulate, celebrate and pass on their faith in appropriate ways within schools.

We all know that state schools are not, and should not be, Sunday schools. The Supreme Court’s decision calls Christian educators and parents to fresh thinking about how we teach faith in a plural public sphere. But it also opens new possibilities: to shape RE that is deeply biblical, genuinely respectful and powerfully compelling.

If we respond with courage, grace and creativity, the Christian story will continue to be heard clearly, confidently and joyfully in schools across Northern Ireland.

This is not a moment to retreat or to wage a culture war. It is a moment of opportunity. 

Peter Lynas also wrote for Premier Christianity over the weekend. To read visit: pre​mier​chris​tian​i​ty​.com