What is religious education for? A study of independent secondary school views on the aims of religious education and how this could impact on the preparatory schools curriculum design

This research aims to establish whether there needs to be a change in the epistemological groundings for RE at preparatory schools, and therefore a change in curriculum design and examination syllabus. My research reviews the vast amounts of literature on the aims of Religious Education and begins with an exploration of the history of the subject in England from the confessional model and the important impact of the 1870 Elementary Education Act on Religious Education. It goes onto an analysis of the non-confessional approaches including modern, post-modern and liberal approaches of the 60s,70s and 80s right through to RE in contemporary England. I use Gearon's paradigmatic framework for understanding the nature of Religious Education. By using the 'paradigms' to investigate a 'paradigm-shift' I will answer my research question of what is Religious Education for, whilst focusing on the implications on curriculum design in Prep Schools. I use qualitative research methodology to build a strong case to describe the current system in place at Prep schools as being inadequate to fulfill the subject's social aims. I examine government reports on the Prevent agenda and schools' role in combating radicalization. The findings of the research demonstrate that in order for RE to achieve its aims, it must go through the paradigmatic-shift. This will be from the confessional model, typical of Prep Schools, to one that is more philosophical-conceptual and socio-cultural in outlook. This is in order to help pupils become positive and tolerant members of our liberal and multi-faith society.