Will the Cabinet Secretary advise as to the Welsh Government’s expectations for the minimum provision of religion, values and ethics within schools, and the mandatory element of the Curriculum for Wales?
Religion, values and ethics (RVE) is compulsory for all learners aged 3–16 in Wales. Schools must provide regular, identifiable RVE either as a discrete subject or integrated with other learning using an objective, pluralistic and critical approach.
RVE is a mandatory element of Curriculum for Wales under the Curriculum and Assessment Act 2021. RVE must be taught in a way that is unbiased and includes a range of different views and beliefs. Those different views and beliefs should be both religious and non-religious. Pluralism requires the critical and objective study of a range of religious and non-religious views.
The Act requires that schools must design an RVE curriculum having regard to the locally agreed syllabus (the subjects or contents to be taught in a course of study).
In the case of a school which has a religious character it must still design an RVE curriculum that is pluralistic. However, many such schools will have a trust deed, or if not, will want to educate pupils as to the teachings of its denomination. In that case a school must provide additional RVE which fits with the trust deed or the beliefs of its denomination. A parent may request that their child be provided with this additional RVE.