Religious Education (RE) is a legal requirement at all key stages in state-funded schools in England. At Key Stage 3 (KS3, ages 11–14), Hinduism is taught in nearly 50% of schools. By GCSE (ages 14–16), this figure drops to 4% of schools offering it as an examined option (compared to Christianity, which rises from 71% at KS3 to 79% at GCSE, and Islam, offered in 55% of schools at GCSE). This disparity exists despite more than a third of secondary schools making RS GCSE compulsory, and despite government figures showing that 33% of pupils in England took RS GCSE in 2023.
In a 2021 survey of Hindu parents, 93% reported that Hinduism was not available as an option at their child’s school. Christianity and Islam invariably are the only options. One systemic cause is a lack of teacher preparedness; in a 2025 survey, the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) specifically identified resource gaps in the teaching of Dharmic faiths. Hindu community groups and Mandirs are stepping in by offering GCSE Hinduism classes out of school hours. Chinmaya Mission UK has started a GCSE program for both Hinduism and Sikhism at Hendon and Sutton in London, as well as in Gloucester.
For a number of years, the Mandir (Yog Foundation) in Bromley (London) has also been offering GCSE Hinduism. This year, the organisation has started to address another cause of the low uptake. Many Hindu parents remain unaware that GCSE Hinduism is fully accredited by all three major examination boards in England. So whilst the curriculum exists, there is a lack of awareness or will to offer the course. Since April 2025, the Mandir has therefore delivered a national campaign informing and encouraging Hindu parents to request their schools to introduce GCSE Hinduism, even as an independent learning option with examinations at the school. Over 400 parents have been engaged nationally to date, and several schools across South East England have since introduced provisions for the subject as a direct result of parents approaching their schools following the campaign.