Saturday 26 October 2013

A Review of RE in England 2013 : summary



RE Review report is now published following eighteen months of development work and consultation. The full report includes the curriculum framework, a discussion of the wider context for RE and a series of questions to inform future work and development, as well as the recommendations of the Expert Panel report. A summary report includes the introduction and the curriculum framework. Both versions are available in printed form as well as free to download. Go to the RE Review report page.

New framework for RE in England outlines best practice

The Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) publishes new guidelines for RE today. The revised teaching framework for RE in schools replaces subject guidance last given in 2004.
The framework has been developed as part of an 18 month long independently funded subject review led by the REC, in partnership with professional associations and a wide spectrum of major faith and belief communities. It has been backed by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.
An Ofsted report Religious Education: Realising the potential published on October 6th criticised the levels of RE provision in schools, placing responsibility for improvement with the government. The REC has taken the initiative in commissioning this review and now calls on the Department for Education to play its part by providing a plan to support the subject review.

Key recommendations of the new RE national curriculum framework are:
  1. RE syllabuses should now take account of the new framework.   It has been designed to work in parallel with the new national curriculum and emphasises high standards, coherence and essential knowledge.
  2. Schools should regard the framework as a national benchmark. Local authorities, academies and faith groups have the flexibility to adapt what is taught.  In line with this approach, the review calls for RE specialist teachers to use their greater freedom to devise a curriculum supported by this clear set of standards.
  3. Whilst no change to the status of religious education is proposed, as the structures governing RE were settled in 1944, the review calls for open discussion on how best to provide good quality RE locally and nationally in the 21st century.
With a new RE teaching framework, children and young people will develop:
  • strong, core knowledge of religions and worldviews through varied experiences, approaches and disciplines including investigative teaching and enquiry
  • written and spoken skills to interpret and make sense of religion and belief, as well as to reflect on and express their own and others' ideas with clarity
  • a strong subject understanding: with an increasing ability to respond to religions and worldviews in an informed, rational and insightful way.

Media release

Dissemination events will be held in York, London, Liverpool, Oxford and Bristol during November. For further details and to book a place click here.
Learn more

http://religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk/public-engagement/media-releases/new-re-review-aims-to-reverse-subjects-decline

Interfaith Week November 2013

Inter Faith Week 2013 17–23 November
 

An opportunity to:
 

• Strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
• Increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
• Increase understanding between people of religious and nonreligious beliefs 



REFLECT/DEBATE/COOPERATE/LEARN/QUESTION/RESPECT/APPRECIATE/MAKE FRIENDS/CELEBRATE

www.interfaithweek.org

New RE review aims to reverse subject’s decline



New RE review aims to reverse subject’s decline
New framework for RE in England outlines best practice

The Religious Education Council for England and Wales (REC) publishes new guidelines for RE today.  The revised teaching framework for RE in schools replaces subject guidance last given in 2004.
The framework has been developed as part of an 18 month long independently funded subject review led by the REC, in partnership with professional associations and a wide spectrum of major faith and belief communities. It has been backed by the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove.
An Ofsted report ‘Religious Education: Realising the potential’ published on October 6th criticised the levels of RE provision in schools, placing responsibility for improvement with the government. The REC has taken the initiative in commissioning this review and now calls on the Department for Education to play its part by providing a plan to support the subject review.
Key recommendations of the new RE national curriculum framework are:
1. RE syllabuses should now take account of the new framework.   It has been designed to work in parallel with the new national curriculum and emphasises high standards, coherence and essential knowledge.
2. Schools should regard the framework as a national benchmark.  Local authorities, academies and faith groups have the flexibility to adapt what is taught.  In line with this approach, the review calls for RE specialist teachers to use their greater freedom to devise a curriculum supported by this clear set of standards.
3. Whilst no change to the status of religious education is proposed, as the structures governing RE were settled in 1944, the review calls for open discussion on how best to provide good quality RE locally and nationally in the 21st century.
With a new RE teaching framework, children and young people will develop:
       strong, core knowledge of religions and worldviews through varied experiences, approaches and disciplines including investigative teaching and enquiry
       written and spoken skills to interpret and make sense of religion and belief, as well as to reflect on and express their own and others' ideas with clarity
       a strong subject understanding: with an increasing ability to respond to religions and worldviews in an informed, rational and insightful way.

John Keast, chair of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales comments:
“The new framework is an important step in securing the future of RE in our schools. Some schools boast good and outstanding RE yet many cannot. In recent years RE has fallen into a vacuum. Falling back on the safety net of statutory provision is not enough to ensure consistent high standards, strong teaching, adequate examination provision and clarity on what the subject covers. Having a thoroughly reconsidered national Curriculum Framework is a means of changing both practice and attitudes to RE.”
Teachers, school leaders and subject experts participating in the review were united in the view that the new teaching framework cannot, on its own, change a subject. 
The review sets out the need for direct and effective attention to be given to the shortage of properly trained RE teachers in the classroom.  Again, RE teacher training bursaries have been withdrawn and the number of places available to those who want to train as RE teachers has been cut.
John Keast adds: “All the elements of good RE provision, from the recruitment of specialist teachers, to their role in the classroom and the training and resources given to them, are underpinned by the structure of locally agreed syllabuses, academy syllabuses and faith school provision, protected by national, statutory arrangements. As the state-funded education landscape changes, it could well be time to look again at how best to provide and support RE, so that teachers are well-trained, pupils are well taught, and the subject remains fit for purpose in schools and society today.”
-       ends     -

Media enquiries: Colin Hallmark / Harriet Johnson, 3:nine Communications
Tel: 0207 736 1888; 07745 914170 ; 07837 053 207 ; email: info@3nine.co.uk
The Religious Education Council of England & Wales (REC:  Established in 1973, the REC is a national organisation that represents a range of religions and beliefs. Members include the Church of England, the Catholic Church, the Free Churches, the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Zoroastrian and Bahá’í faiths, and the British Humanist Association alongside professional associations including the National Association of RE Teachers (NATRE). www.religiouseducationcouncil.org/
Published on 23rd October 2013 The National Curriculum Framework for RE sets out the purpose and aims of RE; the contribution of RE to the school curriculum; and the breadth of study of RE.  Guidance is included for early years; the knowledge, understanding and skills for key stages 1-3; and an overview  for key stage 4 and 16-19 .

Thursday 17 October 2013

RE Directory: An overview of religious education (2013)

http://www.theredirectory.org.uk/overview

An overview of religious education (2013)

These pages are designed to provide an overview of the legislation and guidance affecting RE provision for schools in England and Wales.
It is also important to distinguish between what are the statutory requirements for RE and what forms the non-statutory guidance.
The links below provide more information on all aspects of these:

ENGLAND
Statutory requirements for RE

Curriculum

RE is a statutory subject which is part of the basic curriculum.
RE is not designated a national curriculum subject because for schools within the remit of the local authority, the subject is determined locally by the SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on RE). The SACRE's locally agreed syllabus is a statutory document which must be followed in maintained schools unless they have a designated denomination ('faith schools').  Once adopted by the LA, the agreed syllabus sets out what pupils should be taught and can include the expected standards of pupils’ performance at different stages.  Every locally agreed syllabus must reflect that the religious traditions of Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Look here for more detail on statutory requirements for agreed syllabus RE.
There are specific curriculum and inspection arrangements for RE in different types of school.

Inspection

The law requires school inspections and these are carried out under Section 5 of the Education Act 2005 by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Further information on Ofsted can be found here.
The current inspection framework was introduced in April 2013. In addition to the Framework this reference contains guidance for the assistance of inspectors and copies of the main inspection documents.
The emphasis in current inspection procedures is on the effectiveness of a school and self-evaluation. Guidance on preparing for an inspection can be found here.
Grade descriptors, exemplars of good practice and recent Ofsted reports
Ofsted carries out visits to gather exemplars of good practice in RE. A link to these exemplars can be found here on the Ofsted website.
This link gives access to information about generic grade descriptors and supplementary subject-specific guidance for making judgments about RE as well as links to recent Ofsted reports on RE including:
Inspection in different types of school
There are different and specific inspection arrangements for RE in different types of school.
A general briefing for Ofsted inspectors on inspecting faith schools of different types can be found here. There are also particular requirements for the inspection of schools with a religious foundation, as follows:

Non-statutory guidance on RE

In January 2010 the DCSF published new Guidance on Religious Education in English schools. This replaced the last major governmental guidance for RE (within Circular 1/94) and is an important document in the interpretation of current legislation and its application for all concerned with Religious Education.
In recent years there have also been three curriculum documents produced by government agencies that have had an important impact on the RE curriculum:
  • The 2004 Non-Statutory National Framework for Religious Education continues to be influential in England and Wales. This document received a broad consensus of approval across the RE communities and has been used in the design of most subsequent agreed syllabuses. 
  • RE in the New Secondary Curriculum, 2007. The National Curriculum for England at Key Stages 3 and 4 was published by the (then) QCA in 2007 and implementation started in September 2008. RE was included as a statutory subject with non-statutory guidance. 
  • The Proposed Primary Curriculum, 2010. Although curriculum documents relating to a new primary curriculum were sent to all English primary schools in the early part of 2010, a change of government in May that year meant that the curriculum did not pass into law.
Following the change in government in 2010, a new curriculum review was ordered. The government's intention is that new programmes of study for all subjects which are either to form part of the new National Curriculum or to have non-statutory programmes of study will be available to schools by September 2013, with teaching in maintained schools from September 2014.
Religious education has not been included in the review. Instead, existing arrangements for the subject are to continue. The RE Council has initiated a subject review for RE and its report is due to be published in September 2013.

WALES
Statutory requirements for RE

Specific curriculum and inspection arrangements for RE in different types of school

The statutory position of RE is similar to that for England (see above), with specific requirements for curriculum and inspection according to the type of school.
Specific information on the law and national guidelines for RE in Wales can be found at: wncre.bangor.ac.uk/wasacre/chap1.php.en This is available online in both Welsh and English versions.

RE and the curriculum (including non-statutory guidance)

The National Framework for RE in Wales and other supporting documents can be found at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/curriculuminwales/arevisedcurriculumforwales/religiouseducation/ 
Information about the Wales Association of SACREs can be found at http://www.wasacre.org.uk/  

RE and inspection

Information on the inspection of RE in Wales can be found at the website of Estyn: http://www.estyn.gov.uk/   This includes the section RE in secondary schools. Training material (for inspectors) and a large scale survey, RE in secondary schools: June 2013.

Other significant information about RE

Reports on SACRE contributions to RE and collective worship
RE: history and legislative background

NASACRE : Summer 3013 Newsletter

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/newsletters/summer-newsletter-2013

In this term's newsletter: 

  • From the Chair
  • Michael Gove and religious education- the good, the bad and the ugly
  • Are SACREs fit for purpose?
  • RE Quality Mark
  • NASACRE AGM
  • Membership matters
  • RE Council Sponsored Walks
  • In the beginning
  • Twenty years on
  • Personal reflections on being a member of SACRE
View the Summer 2013 newsletter
Download the newsletter as a pdf.

NASACRE Autumn 2013 Newsletter

  • http://www.nasacre.org.uk/newsletters/autumn-2013
  •  
  • From the Chair
  • NASACRE AGM 2013
  • A date for your diaries
  • All Party Parliamentary Group for RE
  • Responding to traumatic incidents
  • Membership matters
  • Christian Muslim Forum conference report on Religious Literacy and SpiritualityMembership matters
  • The new NASACRE website
  • Inter Faith Week
  • Resources
  • Holocaust Memorial Day 2014
  • Work opportunity
  • Your next SACRE agenda
View the Autumn 2013 newsletter.
Download the newsletter as a pdf.

Joining a SACRE : Resources

Resources

These resources may inform SACREs and assist them in their work.

The SACRE Reporting and Evaluating Toolkit (RETool)

The SACRE Reporting and Evaluating Toolkit is designed to help individual SACREs evaluate their role and, in particular, to consider their impact on pupils’ educational experience and learning. It also helps SACREs review their organisational patterns and structures, and their partnership with the local authority and other key stakeholders.
Download the RETool.

Training Materials for SACREs

small-thumbnailNASACRE has produced a support CD as part of its training for new SACRE members. All SACREs have received one complimentary copy and more copies are for sale.
Designed to help your SACRE become really successful.
This CD contains:
  • information about SACREs, their structure, roles and responsibilities;
  • insights into the nature, purpose and provisionof RE, collective worship and SMSC in school;
  • activities to encourage SACRE self-evaluation and development;
  • guidance on promoting community cohesion;
  • advice on establishing strategic partnerships;
  • support for the roles of SACRE chair and clerk.
supportcd.gifGuidance on using these materials can be found on the CD. It is recommended that this guidance is consulted before the CD is explored further. Documents open in pdf format. When this happens, the CD will close temporarily. Clicking once on a button will open a document, move to another page or open a web link. For additional support, some documents have been provided in pdf format to enable hard copies to be downloaded and printed.
Note: This CD will only run on computers with a Windows operating system
Extra CDs [Price £5 incl p&p] can be ordered by emailing: admin@nasacre.org.uk

Resourcing the local SACRE

This document give an overview of the local authority professional, administrative and financial support required to enable a SACRE to be able to carry out its duties effectively. In addition, it outlines the statutory responsibilities of the LA with regard to the agreed syllabus and agreed syllabus conference (ASC). It also lists the tasks of the SACRE clerk (see also as a separate document below) and specialist RE professional adviser/consultant.

Being a SACRE clerk

This document lays out the roles and responsibilities of a SACRE clerk (See also Resourcing the local SACRE).

So you're joining your local SACRE...

A handbook for SACRE members.
This booklet can be obtained by emailing: admin@nasacre.org.uk

RE CPD Handbook

small-thumbnailPrimarily a handbook for teachers of RE wishing to develop their subject and professional knowledge in the teaching of religion in primary and secondary schools in England, sections of this resource may also be of use or interest to SACRE members.

'Can do' statements

Simplified levels statements of attainment written by Dave Francis and Deborah Weston.

RE and Academies

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/support/resources

This NASACRE leaflet offers ways in which SACREs can give support and guidance to Academies with RE and the use of the locally agreed syllabus.
Two useful documents compiled by NATRE:
  • The first includes a statement from the DfE about the legal requirement for RE in Academies and the role of the Young People's Learning Agency (YPLA).
  • The second a Q&A document about RE and collective worship in Academies and Free Schools. 
Member SACREs may like to use these documents as the basis for issuing advice to schools in their area to clarify for them the current statutory requirements for RE and/or collective worship.

RE Subject Review, Summer 2013

In summer 2012, the RE Council initiated a review of religious education in England to run parallel to the government's review of the National Curriculum, as part of its strategic plan.
Phase One of the review is now complete. Click to read the report. Click here to find out more about the RE Subject Review.

School Governors: responsibilities for RE

School Governors: responsibilities for RE

Following the publication of the report RE: The Truth Unmasked, in March 2013 (see above), Dr Barbara Wintersgill, author of the report, has produced two briefing papers for governors which outline schools' responsibilities with regard to RE, give an overview of the problems identified by the report and suggest some actions governors might undertake to bring about improvement in their schools.
Primary briefing paper
Secondary briefing paper

E-petition: Government support needed for Religious Education in Schools

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/news/2013-07-11/e-petition-government-support-needed-for-religious-education-in-schools

An e-petition has been started by Susan Wainwright, to ask Mr Gove and the Department for Education to provide government support for RE. Please consider signing it.

Conference: Raising Confidence in RE Teaching and Learning

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/news/2013-08-28/conference-raising-confidence-in-re-teaching-and-learning

A conference organised by AREIAC.
Venue: Manchester
Date: Saturday 16th November 2013
Click here for full details.

Ofsted religious education report: realising the potential

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/news/2013-10-06/ofsted-religious-education-report-realising-the-potential

The latest Ofsted religious education report - realising the potential is now published.
There are references made to SACREs in the challenges, key findings and recommendations.  There are also exemplars of good practice which look specifically at four areas:
  • placing enquiry at the heart of learning – as a key to improving teaching
  • high-quality leadership and management in primary schools – as a key to improvement and raising the status of RE
  • forward-thinking leadership and management in secondary schools – as a key to securing provision for RE for the future
  • effective RE in special schools – adapting RE to meet the distinctive needs of pupils who have learning difficulties.
Click to read or download the full report.
Click to read or download the summary.

Ofsted report - NASACRE press release

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/news/2013-10-07/ofsted-report-nasacre-press-release

NASACRE welcomes the report published by Ofsted on Sunday 6th October, 2013 relating to Religious Education (RE) in English schools. The report highlights the ways that the government has marginalised RE and how this has led to confusion in schools about the nature, purpose and place of the subject within the curriculum.
The report rightly calls into question the mechanisms for determining and supporting RE, both nationally and locally. All too often, Standing Advisory Councils for RE (SACREs) and Agreed Syllabus Conferences are under funded and under supported by the local authorities that are legally obliged to convene them. This report highlights the responsibilities that fall within the remit of local authorities in relation to RE. NASACRE urges the government to ensure that they are fulfilling their statutory duties.
Where they are given appropriate resources SACREs, which represent all the key stakeholders in the subject, have the ability to support RE locally and ensure that every pupil receives religious education of the highest quality. NASACRE urges the government to exercise moral leadership and respond to the recommendations made by Ofsted for the Department for Education (DfE) and ensure that local authorities meet their statutory obligations. Similarly, NASACRE would also like to see the Department for Communities and Local Government support Ofsted in ensuring that local authorities take their responsibilities seriously along with the DfE.
SACRES can do the job entrusted to them by law if they are properly funded and resourced and they are the best placed means by which to ensure that all pupils receive the high quality, balanced and inclusive religious education to which they are entitled.

RE Teachers survey : Buddhism in schools in England and Wales

Dear SACRE/RE Advisors based in the South West and Wales
 
We are a group of Buddhist volunteers from all traditions engaged with SACRE and RE support, concerned about the formidable challenges that nowadays the Religious Education community and organisations are facing in England and Wales.
 
As result, and a first step, we would like to make contact with teachers of RE, and RE Advisors, with the aim of establishing a long term relationship and partnership with them, to ensure that they are well supported in the teaching of Buddhism in schools, and can do it with confidence.
 
We are very grateful to the NATRE/NASACRE personnel for helping us set up a couple of surveys aimed at Primary and Secondary teachers of RE: the aim is to try and find out what is happening and what is really needed, and therefore how we can help.
 
The fact finding exercise could be followed by an initial event in London, to launch the initiative, possibly half way through November, or the beginning of next year, at which RE teachers and Advisors would be invited. That could be followed by other local meetings in your area.
 
We would be grateful if you could brief your SACREs on the matter, and encouraged your local RE teachers to participate in the survey. (see links below).
Also we would appreciate it if you could ask your SACRE Buddhist Reps to contact us with a view to getting involved.
 
 
Thank you for all you can do.
 
With kind regards
 
The SACRE and RE Buddhist Support Group
 
The links:
 

The same surveys are also reacheable via the NATRE web site.
contact details:
mariano marcigaglia (Southwark SACRE)  mmarcigaglia@yahoo.co.uk
07703 519478
(Local contacts : Jo Backus (Bath) and Michael Keogh (Somerset), emails in the cc field)

job opportunity at 3FF, who are currently recruiting a new Schools Coordinator.

From: Sophie Agrotis [mailto:sophie@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk]
Sent: 08 October 2013 16:12
To: Sophie Agrotis
Subject: Schools Coordinator Position at 3FF
 
Dear Member representative,
 
We have been informed of a job opportunity at 3FF, who are currently recruiting a new Schools Coordinator. Further information is available here: http://www.3ff.org.uk/jobs/schools-coordinator.php.
 
Please could you forward this to anyone who you think might be interested.
 
Many thanks,
 
Sophie
 
- - - - - - - - - - -
 
Sophie Agrotis | Office and Finance Administrator
 
Religious Education Council
14-22 Elder Street
London
E1 6BT
 
Phone:  0207 859 1612

REC: RE review report launch, Wed 23rd Oct

rom: Sophie Agrotis [mailto:sophie@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk]
Sent: 14 October 2013 12:03
To: Sophie Agrotis
Subject: FW: RE Review Report Launch

Dear Member representative,
I am writing to inform you of the forthcoming launch of the RE Review report.  This event will take place under the auspices of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education on Wednesday 23rd October in Committee Room 9 of the House of Commons, from 4 pm until 6 pm.  The event will be chaired by Stephen Lloyd MP, Chair of the APPG on RE, and will involve presentations by four speakers followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.
As you know, the RE Review has taken almost eighteen months to carry out and has involved wide consultation and the involvement of many people within and beyond the world of RE. Its final report includes a non-statutory curriculum framework and an overview of the current context in which RE is provided, planned and taught, with recommendations for further action.  The new framework has secured support across a very wide range of organisations and individuals and its launch is a significant event.
There is still a limited number of spaces at the launch event. If you would like to attend the launch, please let me know by e-mailing sophie@religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk. Places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Best wishes,
Sophie
- - - - - - - - - - -
Sophie Agrotis | Office and Finance Administrator
Religious Education Council
14-22 Elder Street
London
E1 6BT
Phone:  0207 859 1612
REC Logo small
Working together to strengthen the provision of religious education in schools, colleges and universities.
**********************DISCLAIMER*****************
This message is private and confidential and it is intended exclusively for the addressee. If you receive this message by mistake, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please inform the sender and delete the message and attachments from your system. No confidentiality nor any privilege regarding the information is waived or lost by any mistransmission or malfunction.
Any views or opinions contained in this message are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of ISBAN, unless otherwise specifically stated and the sender is authorized to do so.
E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure, confidential, or
error-free, as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. ISBAN does not accept responsibility for any changes, errors or omissions in the contents of this message after it has been sent.
This message is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments.
*********************AVISO LEGAL **********************
Este mensaje es privado y confidencial y solamente para la persona a la que va dirigido. Si usted ha recibido este mensaje por error, no debe revelar, copiar, distribuir o usarlo en ningun sentido. Le rogamos lo comunique al remitente y borre dicho mensaje y cualquier documento adjunto que pudiera contener. No hay renuncia a la confidencialidad ni a ningun privilegio por causa de transmision erronea o mal funcionamiento.
Cualquier opinion expresada en este mensaje pertenece unicamente al autor remitente, y no representa necesariamente la opinion de ISBAN, a no ser que expresamente se diga y el remitente este autorizado para hacerlo.
Los correos electronicos no son seguros, no garantizan la confidencialidad ni la
correcta recepcion de los mismos, dado que pueden ser interceptados,
manipulados, destruidos, llegar con demora o incompletos, o con virus. ISBAN no se hace responsable de los cambios, alteraciones, errores u omisiones que pudieran hacerse al mensaje una vez enviado.
Este mensaje solo tiene una finalidad de informacion, y no debe interpretarse como una oferta de venta o de compra de valores ni de instrumentos financieros relacionados.
Ref:[PDB#015]
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2013.0.3408 / Virus Database: 3222/6747 - Release Date: 10/13/13


Inform : Faith Minorities, Friday 31 January 2014 to Sunday 2 February 2014 at the London School of Economics in London.



Inform is hosting its Anniversary Conference from Friday 31 January 2014 to Sunday 2 February 2014 at the London School of Economics in London.  The theme is ‘Minority Religions: Contemplating the Past and Anticipating the Future’.  To register, visit http://www.inform.ac.uk.  Registration opens on 1 November 2013.