REady for Work campaign #RE4Work

An open letter from Lord Karan Bilimoria

As former President of the Confederation of British Industry and Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, I’ve always been keen to highlight the importance of high quality Religious Education in schools.

Over the last decade the subject has evolved to provide a much-needed place in the classroom for young people to engage with the complexity of modern belief, avoid misconceptions, and leave school ready to work with people around the world from all walks of life.

Yet I am concerned with the standard of Religious Education in many schools across the country. RE teachers are some of the most passionate in the country, but a lack of funding and proper support for the subject has led the outgoing Chief Inspector of Education to describe teaching of the subject as ‘generally of a poor quality’.

This is why I’m launching a Call to Action for employers and business leaders, a chance for them to stand by students who have expressed an interest in a high quality education in religion and worldviews as preparation for the future workplace.

I’d like to invite you to sign our Call to Action pledging your support for the subject. As a business leader concerned with the future of an inclusive workplace, your support will be invaluable to our campaign.

Kind regards

Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBE, DL, FCA

Why is high quality RE important for the future workplace?

Employers’ Call to Action on RE

As employers, we want the next generation to be able to bring their whole selves to work. This means being confident to share both their religious and non-religious views in the workplace, to be sensitive to others’ worldviews and to partake in a broad and dynamic workplace built on a rigorous and intellectual understanding of different beliefs. Not only is this a vital part of an academic education, but the backbone of an inclusive and productive workplace.

We are signing this Call to Action to show our support for a high quality education in religion and worldviews for every young person in every school. We call on schools, education leaders, and the Government to do everything they can to ensure this vision becomes a reality. Not only is Religious Education a vital preparation for the world of work for young people, but in their development as thoughtful and responsible members of society in modern Britain.