Religion in Schools: Learning Lessons from Wales

Description

To what extent should religion be taught in classrooms? Should lessons also cover non-religious beliefs? Should the teaching of religion be compulsory or should it be a matter of choice by the parents or the child? Should faith schools be allowed to teach their religious beliefs? Should religious worship be compulsory for all pupils? Questions of how religion operates within schools prove controversial and divisive. This book explores radical changes that are being made in Wales and the lessons that can be learnt. It examines the historical development of the law in this area, the new Welsh law, its potential shortcomings and areas that the new law leaves untouched, namely the rules on religious worship. The book is written by a leading authority on the interaction of law and religion whose work fed into Welsh parliament debates on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021.

Russell Sandberg is Professor of Law at Cardiff University.

'Russell Sandberg has provided a crisp, clean, concise, and cogent expert's guide to the impressive new experiment in religion and education afoot in Wales. Not only Welsh and UK readers, but anyone interested in the vexed questions of the roles and rights of religion in the classroom and curriculum need to read this learned text.' - John Witte, Jr., Director, Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University, USA. 'This short and very well-written book probes big issues: among them the implications of devolution for educational reform and - in more detail - the recent changes in the teaching of religion in the Welsh school system. I recommend it warmly.' - Grace Davie, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Exeter, UK. 'In the aftermath of 9/11, the need for appropriate religious education has become a priority around the world. By analyzing the new Welsh system, this book addresses issues that are debated in many countries and outlines a model that can be replicated throughout Europe.' - Silvio Ferrari, Emeritus Professor of Canon Law, University of Milan, Italy. 'This book aims to illuminate an area where there has often been more heat than light, and examines the new law with insight and nuance. It is a valuable contribution to current scholarship.' - Helen Hall, Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of the Centre for Rights and Justice, Nottingham Trent University, UK. 'This engaging book charts how the teaching of religion is being transformed in Welsh schools and explores how other nations might learn from these changes. Essential reading for anyone interested in religion, law, and education.' - Anna Strhan, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of York, UK.