Agenda item

COMMISSION FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ONLINE CONSULTATION

Minutes:

The report from the Commission for Religious Education is an interim report which was compiled during the academic year 2016-2017 and launched in September 2017. The final version is due to be published in September 2018. The Commission is now asking for further feedback on certain areas. It has proposed the idea of a ‘National Entitlement’ statement for RE, because with increasing academisation, schools have far more flexibility and do not have to use a Local Agreed Syllabus (although they still have to follow the principles). The Commission’s concern is how we can be sure that young people are receiving their entitlement to RE.  Previously, each SACRE designed a syllabus relevant for the Local Authority schools in their area, but the number of LA schools is continually becoming smaller.

Sue asked if parents would still have the right to withdraw pupils from RE; further consultation is needed on that but there are no apparent plans to remove this legal entitlement for parental withdrawal.

 

The interim report is calling for an expanded role for SACREs and a national plan for more training for RE teachers. There is also a suggestion that SACREs could have a role in community cohesion, which is a reasonable idea but a bigger role would require more ring-fenced funding.

 

There are no answers in the report, but it is raising issues and focussing on those issues which need more consultation. The Commission requests feedback by the end of December 2017.

Discussion followed: Philip wondered about the difference between a statement of entitlement and a programme of work. Shira pointed out that making RE a national curriculum subject would not necessarily guarantee a high standard. It was agreed that having RE as a subject for an Ofsted report would be good. ACTION Jan to recommend that to the Commission on behalf of the SACRE. All members to consider the report and email the Commission, copying Anne, Stephen and Jan.

 

 

The Pan-Berkshire Agreed Syllabus review.

The most pressing issue for discussion is which religions should be required to be taught at which key stages as compulsory. There was a call to make Islam a mandatory religion to be studied before KS3. Many teachers are already doing so. Discussion followed: Shira approves of flexibility; Catherine agreed that there is a need for flexibility but also that a teacher needs to know their pupils. How would a child feel if their own faith was not being discussed?  Teachers are laying the foundations at primary level, whereas KS3 is a different level altogether. Stephen and Sue are being pushed for GCSEs and don’t have spare time; they have to concentrate on teaching facts.

 

Jan drew members’ attention to page 31 of the document pack, which covers the question of which religions should be taught at which stages. Members discussed the suggestions and felt that removing barriers between key stages is acceptable. The question arose as to how schools record what different pupils have studied. Catherine said the RE lead should be doing that. Shira suggested Headteachers should decide. Discussion followed over how we know what schools are doing. Jan pointed out that as at least 70% of Wokingham schools are using Discovery RE, we do know what the majority are doing. Linda asked if it were possible that areas of the syllabus might be omitted if schools were using Discovery RE. Jan replied not; if they are using Discovery, then they will be following the syllabus unless they are not using Discovery RE fully.

 

There is still work to do on Humanism, which should be covered in KS3. The British Humanist Association is producing some good material now; Stephen mentioned that they  have been involved with GCSEs.

Stephen asked if members agreed with the proposed suggestions on page 31; six members agreed so the proposal was carried.

 

Regarding retaining attainment targets (page 32, item 2), Jan asked if we should change from using the 2 attainment targets (in the current syllabus) to summary expectations (same content, different format). Jan explained that she is constantly mapping Discovery RE to different syllabi: most revised syllabi are removing the old 2 attainment targets but some have kept them – it is up to the SACRE to decide. Philip asked what teachers want; Jan responded that they prefer things to stay the same. It was unanimously agreed to keep attainment targets 1 and 2.

Members discussed how schools measure attainment. Catherine pointed out that RE is not on school reports. Jan informed members that in Discovery RE there is an assessment, recording and reporting process which shows progression by using three colours; she thinks it would be useful to write some supplementary guidance about assessment, possibly giving each stage a summary descriptor. All agreed.