TRC statement on Supreme Court hearing (JR87)

The Transferor Representatives’ Council, which represents the interests in education – in Northern Ireland – of the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church in Ireland and Methodist Church in Ireland, welcomes the opportunity to intervene in respect of the Supreme Court hearing of JR87. The TRC intervention to the Court of Appeal was cited for the valuable contextual information it added to the case, and it is anticipated that the Supreme Court intervention will likewise assist the Justices in their deliberations.

Dr Andy Brown, Chair of the Transferor Representatives’ Council, made the following statement to the News Letter following a query in relation to JR87 on Wednesday (21st May 2025):

“The important historical and contextual information which we felt had been overlooked in the original case included apprising the court that the churches had recognised areas in the RE Curriculum which need addressed and that the TRC had, for some time, pressed the Department, successive Ministers of Education, elected representatives, and officials to remedy this. We were therefore pleased that the Court of Appeal recognised and referred to the work that is ongoing to refresh the Northern Ireland curriculum which will, of course, include consideration of ‘the complexion and changing needs of our modern society’, as per its recommendation. We trust that the Supreme Court will uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal.

“The teaching of RE is a vital component of the primary curriculum in Northern Ireland, an area in which children are able to explore and consider life’s big questions, in preparation for life outside the classroom. Given the history and context of our society and education system, RE gives space for children to learn about faith within the Christian ethos of our schools, which encourages and promotes the importance of recognising and respecting the different views of those of other faiths and none. The legislation already allows for the teaching of other topics beyond the Core Syllabus and many teachers use this to facilitate their pupils’ learning about the beliefs of other groups within their community and indeed, in many instances, their classmates.

“We will continue to work together with all relevant agencies to ensure that children and young people across Northern Ireland have access to high quality Religious Education, which will enrich their learning and understanding of the world in which they live, and we recognise that there may be those who do not wish to participate in these classes, or in collective worship, and who may wish to avail of the provision to opt out which is in legislation.

“The link between local schools and local churches is strong, as is the Christian ethos in our schools. It is lived out every day, through supporting, giving, pastoring and guiding; and the work of the churches in education is one of selfless, voluntary and sacrificial service. Whatever the outcome of the case, this will continue.”