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