RE Drafting Group - Expressions of Interest

Overview

The Department of Education is commencing a review of the Religious Education (RE) Core Syllabus. The review will cover Foundation Stage to Key Stage 4 (Year 1 to Year 12).   

The review follows a Supreme Court judgment that concluded the current RE Core Syllabus does not convey information in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner. The existing syllabus is nearly 20 years old, and the review aligns with the wider reform of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

Find out more about the review of the RE Core Syllabus. 

Read the Terms of Reference.

Why your views matter

The Department now invites expressions of interest from primary and post-primary practitioners with an interest in the teaching of RE who can bring: 

• Firsthand teaching or practitioner experience

• Subject knowledge or academic expertise 

• Understanding of classroom practice 

• A willingness to engage respectfully with differing viewpoints and to maintain confidentiality 

Your involvement will help ensure the new syllabus is coherent, inclusive and grounded in real teaching and learning needs. 

How to Get Involved 

Application  

If you are interested in contributing to the development of the new RE Core Syllabus, please read the Expression of Interest booklet and complete the Expression of Interest form using the link below.  

Completion of the form will require both tick box and free text responses. Where you are asked to complete free text boxes, we would encourage you to carefully address each of the essential criteria listed and provide clear and relevant examples which demonstrate how your knowledge, skills and experience align with the specific criteria. 

All completed applications must be returned by 5pm on 27 February 2026. 

Applications will be assessed by senior officials in the Department of Education and a maximum of ten individuals will be identified (five primary practitioners and five post-primary practitioners).  

The Department will endeavour, as far as possible, to ensure representation from all school sectors in Northern Ireland. 

Privacy 

Your privacy is important to the Department, and we will process your personal data in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 – General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).   

A copy of the Department’s Privacy Notice is available on the DE website. 

Further Information 

Please send any general queries about the application/appointment process to RE.Review@education-ni.gov.uk