UK Supreme Court Ruling Labels Christian-Only Religious Education in Northern Ireland Schools Unlawful
The UK Supreme Court has declared the religious education (RE) and collective worship practices in Northern Ireland schools unlawful, marking a major victory for non-religious families and human rights advocates. The court unanimously upheld an appeal from a Belfast father and his daughter, who argued that the Christian-focused curriculum violated their rights and did not reflect a diverse, pluralistic approach to education.
The ruling, which reversed previous decisions by the Northern Ireland Department of Education, found that RE in schools was “indoctrinating” and failed to meet human rights standards. The judgment also addressed the controversial practice of mandatory Christian collective worship, which the court determined was discriminatory and stigmatising for students who opted out.
The case, known as JR87, was initiated by a father and his daughter who attended a primary school in Belfast. The family, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concerns after the school’s RE lessons and collective worship focused exclusively on Christianity. While the family adhered to non-religious beliefs, they felt their child was being taught that Christianity was the only true religion. Despite raising concerns with the school in 2019, the family was dissatisfied with the response, which stated that the school’s RE was “Bible-based” and followed the core syllabus set out by the four main Christian denominations in Northern Ireland.
The Supreme Court ruled that RE should not be taught in a way that promotes one religion as the sole truth, and that the current curriculum was neither objective, critical, nor pluralistic. In a statement after the judgment, Darragh Mackin, solicitor for the family, called the decision "a watershed moment for educational rights in this jurisdiction." He emphasized that the ruling ensures "all children are entitled to an education that respects their freedom of thought, conscience, and religion."
The court also noted that the practice of allowing students to opt out of RE and collective worship—though legally permitted—was not enough to address the underlying issue of religious indoctrination. The right to withdraw from these activities was described as “stigmatising,” particularly since children who opted out often faced social exclusion or were left isolated from key parts of school life, such as assemblies.
Northern Ireland’s RE curriculum has long been criticized for its heavy Christian emphasis, with only one module on "World Faiths" offered at secondary school level. Humanists and non-religious groups have long argued that the curriculum should reflect the diversity of beliefs in the population, including humanism. Northern Ireland Humanists welcomed the ruling, with Boyd Sleator, its coordinator, describing it as “a historic win for the rights of children in Northern Ireland.” He also expressed hope that the ruling would encourage the UK government to revisit the requirement for mandatory Christian worship in schools across the country, a practice that has long been unique to the UK.
In addition to the educational implications, the ruling raises questions about the future of religious instruction in schools across the UK. The judgment reinforces the need for an inclusive and balanced approach to RE, one that respects the beliefs of all students and aligns with modern human rights standards.
