{"links":{"self":"https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246763.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":246763,"attributes":{"action":"Restore parental consent for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) lessons in the Curriculum for Wales","background":"Under the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021, parents lost the right to withdraw their children from Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) lessons. This applies to all schools, including faith schools. \r\n\r\nParents deserve the right to consent to or withdraw from religious instruction that conflicts with family beliefs, and to be clearly informed in advance when external faith representatives are invited to deliver lessons in schools.","additional_details":"The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 removed parents’ legal right to withdraw their children from Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) lessons. \r\n\r\nWelsh Government guidance issued in 2021 states: \r\n“There is no right to withdraw from RVE.” \r\nThis applies to all pupils, including those in Church and faith schools.\r\n\r\nWhile it is important that pupils learn about different religions and beliefs, parental consent must remain central to that process. Faith is a personal matter, and families should retain the right to decide how their children engage with religious instruction or teaching that conflicts with their beliefs.\r\n\r\nWe ask the Welsh Government to review this policy, restore parental consent for RVE, and ensure schools provide clear advance notice when external faith representatives are invited to teach.\r\n\r\n Transparency and choice are essential to maintaining trust between schools, families, and communities.","state":"open","signature_count":612,"threshold_for_referral":250,"threshold_for_debate":10000,"created_at":"2025-10-08T12:28:16.687Z","updated_at":"2026-04-14T23:00:00.565Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-10-13T10:21:18.669Z","closed_at":"2026-04-21T22:59:59.999Z","completed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-10-08T16:33:50.000Z","referral_threshold_reached_at":"2025-10-14T04:08:30.000Z","referred_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"archived_at":null,"submitted_on_paper":false,"submitted_on":null,"creator_name":"Samantha Carson","rejection":null,"debate":null,"topics":[{"code":"education","name":"Education"}],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"Canada","code":"CA","signature_count":1},{"name":"Cyprus","code":"CY","signature_count":1},{"name":"England","code":"GB-ENG","signature_count":51},{"name":"France","code":"FR","signature_count":1},{"name":"Scotland","code":"GB-SCT","signature_count":3},{"name":"Wales","code":"GB-WLS","signature_count":555}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"id":"W09000001","name":"Ynys Môn","signature_count":3},{"id":"W09000002","name":"Arfon","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000003","name":"Aberconwy","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000004","name":"Clwyd West","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000005","name":"Vale of Clwyd","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000006","name":"Delyn","signature_count":7},{"id":"W09000007","name":"Alyn and Deeside","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000008","name":"Wrexham","signature_count":65},{"id":"W09000009","name":"Clwyd South","signature_count":48},{"id":"W09000010","name":"Dwyfor Meirionnydd","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000011","name":"Montgomeryshire","signature_count":7},{"id":"W09000012","name":"Ceredigion","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000014","name":"Preseli Pembrokeshire","signature_count":8},{"id":"W09000015","name":"Carmarthen East and Dinefwr","signature_count":21},{"id":"W09000016","name":"Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000017","name":"Llanelli","signature_count":69},{"id":"W09000018","name":"Gower","signature_count":37},{"id":"W09000019","name":"Swansea West","signature_count":33},{"id":"W09000020","name":"Swansea East","signature_count":23},{"id":"W09000021","name":"Neath","signature_count":14},{"id":"W09000022","name":"Aberavon","signature_count":9},{"id":"W09000023","name":"Bridgend","signature_count":17},{"id":"W09000025","name":"Rhondda","signature_count":20},{"id":"W09000026","name":"Cynon Valley","signature_count":5},{"id":"W09000029","name":"Cardiff West","signature_count":8},{"id":"W09000031","name":"Cardiff Central","signature_count":1},{"id":"W09000034","name":"Monmouth","signature_count":2},{"id":"W09000035","name":"Caerphilly","signature_count":10},{"id":"W09000036","name":"Islwyn","signature_count":8},{"id":"W09000037","name":"Torfaen","signature_count":6},{"id":"W09000038","name":"Blaenau Gwent","signature_count":18},{"id":"W09000039","name":"Newport West","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000040","name":"Newport East","signature_count":9},{"id":"W09000041","name":"Brecon and Radnorshire","signature_count":11},{"id":"W09000042","name":"Cardiff North","signature_count":7},{"id":"W09000043","name":"Cardiff South and Penarth","signature_count":4},{"id":"W09000044","name":"Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney","signature_count":17},{"id":"W09000045","name":"Ogmore","signature_count":6},{"id":"W09000046","name":"Pontypridd","signature_count":11},{"id":"W09000047","name":"Vale of Glamorgan","signature_count":11}],"signatures_by_region":[{"id":"W10000001","name":"North Wales","signature_count":137},{"id":"W10000006","name":"Mid and West Wales","signature_count":126},{"id":"W10000007","name":"South Wales Central","signature_count":67},{"id":"W10000008","name":"South Wales East","signature_count":74},{"id":"W10000009","name":"South Wales West","signature_count":139}]}}}