Special Religious Education (Scripture) has strong support across school communities. SRE classes are held in 92% of primary schools and 81% of secondary schools in NSW.

A review of Special Religious Education commissioned by the NSW government and published in 2017 found that 84% of parents are positive about their child’s learning experience in SRE.

SRE is not compulsory; parents choose whether or not they want their children to enrol in SRE classes.

“SRE is about values,” says Christian SRE spokesperson Murray Norman. “It gives students the opportunity to question, explore and discover the values they build their lives on, including the spiritual dimension.”

All SRE teachers have undergone a Working With Children Check, have completed child protection training and training in SRE teaching, have been authorised by a provider of SRE approved by the NSW Department of Education, and are required to undertake regular professional development. In addition, most high school SRE teachers in NSW are required to complete a higher education qualification in theology.

These requirements are designed to promote a high level of professionalism in SRE teachers in our schools.