Graduates shun RE teacher jobs

RELIGIOUS education in schools is in crisis after applications to teach the subject have fallen by almost 40 per cent in a year.

Although applications for teacher training are lower across the board, the decrease for RE is worse than average.

Only 405 RE places were filled for initial teacher training in 2017. That was 63 per cent of the Government target of 643 places.

The Religious Education Council of England and Wales is urging Ministers to introduce higher bursaries for trainee RE teachers.

Currently, those with a first-class degree will be paid a £9,000 bursary, and a trainee with a 2.1 will receive £4,000. A Department for Education spokesman said: ‘Religious Education remains compulsory at each key stage for all state-funded schools, including academies and free schools. We expect all schools to fulfil their statutory duties.’