Agenda item

Syllabus Review

Minutes:

Every five years the RE Syllabus needs to be reviewed. This term the Pan Berkshire SACREs are ahead of where we need to be. All six SACREs follow the same process and time frame. The survey asking for feedback on the syllabus has begun; a questionnaire has been sent out. There will be a consultation day on October 4th to which teachers, religious representatives and SACRE members are invited to offer their views and suggestions regarding if and how the syllabus needs updating. Shira pointed out that no Jewish people will attend on October 4th as it is the eve of Sukkot. Michael commented that there is a calendar on the SACRE page of the schools’ hub which lists many important religious festivals and holy days, and Shira could advise Anne of important Jewish dates. October 5th is listed on the calendar as the beginning of Sukkot and Jan had avoided that date but had not realised that the day before would be affected, too. Action: Jan to investigate an alternative date to invite Jewish representatives to a consultation event.

 

Agreed Syllabus Conference:

At the next SACRE meeting, members will need to set up an Agreed Syllabus Conference, which is a separate legal entity, although often comprises the same members as the SACRE.  Michael asked about completing the questionnaire; Jan advised that all people should complete the form from their own representative perspective. Michael also asked if contributions would come from all six SACREs, which Jan confirmed.  Stephen asked all members to complete the form individually.

 

Assessment Levels:

Stephen mentioned that the Government has removed levels, so each school can decide how they assess children on all subjects. Stephen asked members to consider if British Values should sit within the RE syllabus. Many schools use Discovery RE, which translates the syllabus into practical work. Jan has rewritten the assessment process in Discovery RE so that each half-term enquiry has 3 age-related descriptors/criteria helping teachers know how each child’s learning is progressing …are they working ‘at’ the age-related expectation, ‘towards’ the age-related expectation or ‘beyond’ the age-related expectation? In addition to this, each of the descriptors has 3 colour-coded strands, the green referring to children’s personal resonance with the underpinning concept, the blue relating to their knowledge and understanding, and the red referring to their ability to apply the knowledge to the big question in that enquiry. These descriptors are followed by exemplification. This new system helps teachers assess children’s progress and next steps. Philip suggested that it could be adapted for the syllabus. Celia mentioned that the Diocese is doing something similar. There was a generally negative feeling about the lack of levels.

 

Syllabus Questionnaire:

Jan asked members to complete the syllabus questionnaire/form in good time as she does not want to have to chase people. Stephen announced that he will be on a school trip to Mongolia for four weeks from July 14th, so please send comments in by July 10th. All response dates for the syllabus review are listed in the paper accompanying agenda item 7. (Pan-Berkshire RE Agreed Syllabus Review). Action: all to complete questionnaire in good time.

 

 

Faith/belief Group Consultation Day, October 4th:

Last year, all faith representatives got together and recommended or suggested lots of websites, stories, etc. which could be useful in teaching RE. The consultation day this year will offer morning, afternoon or evening sessions between 10am and 7.30pm. Jan will send a flyer out and people can sign up for a session. Action: Jan to send out a flyer for October 4th.

 

It might be necessary to hold an extra SACRE meeting in May. Beth advised that it takes place before the May election day. This time next year, the revisions will be completed. The new syllabus launch is a good event to get people together. 2017-2018 will be a transition year for the syllabus to be embedded, with all schools expected to be using it confidently from September 2018.

 

Shira queried if the syllabus could be more flexible to allow Islam to be taught at KS2. Stephen suggested any ideas should be fed back via the consultation form.

 

Supporting documents: