Church highlights ‘inconvenient fact' that matters of faith interest young people

This year's A-level results marks the sixth year in a row that the number of students taking Religious Studies A-level has risen, with an increase of 4.7 per cent over 2008.

Church educationalists point to the subject's popularity as a vivid sign that young people are interested in exploring religious and spiritual perspectives of the world, and in studying the moral and cultural frameworks people share across diverse globalised societies.

Up to 21,079 students in the UK recently found out their results for Religious Studies A-Level (compared to 20,134 in 2008), and 80.1 per cent of them will be celebrating achieving a A-C grade (against 80.4 per cent in 2008). The number taking AS Levels also increased.

Jane Brooke, the Church of England's RE Development Consultant, comments: "Sixth-form level interest in Religious Studies is genuinely at an all-time high, with this year seeing the highest ever number of students taking the course at A and AS Level. This success is down to students, to quality teaching and to the support of headteachers and senior leaders within schools.

"Sadly, much of the success of RS is overshadowed on the national stage by subjects seemingly deemed more important. Young people are saying that matters of faith really are worth studying as a way of helping them form their own viewpoints. The popularity of RS is an inconvenient fact for those who seek to portray the world in purely secular terms.

"Religious Studies' growing popularity is a secret that needs to be shared, to increase the quality of resources available to those exploring the major religious traditions, and to make teaching RS a more attractive option to the best graduates."

For more information please contact Ben Wilson in the Church of England Communications Office, telephone 020 7898 1326.