REady for Work campaign
#RE4Work
Are you an employer?
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.
Supporters:
Lord Karan Bilimoria, CBE, DL, FCA
Peter Jones Foundation
University College London
Bangor University
John de Bono KC
Bank of England
Fellowers
Edwardian Hotels London
Coop Academy Walkden
Todmorden High
Landcharm Ltd
Coop Academy
Queen Elizabeth’s Secondary School
Bellevue Law
Tiny Be Coaching
Westminster Diocese
Red Card Gambling Support C.I.C
3:nine Communications
Claire Barry Communications Ltd
Catholic Union of Great Britain
TraderMind
Guidance Consultancy
Replan
Mary Gale Consultancy
St Hilda’s School, Gold Coast
Haptex Apparel
Baines School
Christian Education
The King’s School
Bournemouth School
University of Wolverhampton
Theology and Religious Studies UK
Teddo Play
Huxley Advisory Limited
Richmond and Barnes Solicitors
Avanti House Secondary School
BAPS
Adaptive Ant
Pinnacle Process Solutions, Intl.
Fertile Heart
Marston Green Infant Academy
City of Stoke on Trent Council
Princethorpe College
When in Culture Ltd
Sign me up!
I would like to sign the Employers’ Call to Action.
Please contact me on this email address to confirm my signature.