AGENDA ITEM 8

BOROUGH OF POOLE

LEARNING OVERVIEW GROUP

24 MAY 2005

REPORT OF HEAD OF SCHOOL ADVICE AND SUPPORT SERVICES

BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE AGREED SYLLABUS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

FORWARD PLAN: YES

1.  PURPOSE

1.1 To advise the Learning Overview Group that the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education has been jointly developed with Bournemouth and has been endorsed by both Bournemouth and Poole’s Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (SACRE). The Learning Overview Group is asked to consider the document and recommend it to the Portfolio Holder for Learning for approval.

2 DECISION REQUIRED

That the Bournemouth and Poole Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education be endorsed and submitted to the Portfolio Holder for Learning for approval.

3 BACKGROUND

3.1 Religious Education must be taught to all registered pupils in maintained schools, including those in the sixth form, except to those withdrawn by their parents. This requirement does not apply to nursery classes in maintained schools.

3.2 Religious Education is a component of the basic curriculum, to be taught alongside the National Curriculum in all maintained schools. In all maintained schools, other than voluntary aided schools with a religious character, it must be taught according to a locally agreed syllabus.

3.3 Each Local Education Authority (LEA) must convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference to produce a syllabus. Once adopted by the LEA, the programme of study of the agreed syllabus sets outs what pupils should be taught. The attainment levels set out the expected standards of pupils’ performance at different ages and stages. The Education Act 1996 states that an agreed syllabus must reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Each LEA must have a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education. The SACRE may require a review of the agreed syllabus at any time. This is in addition to the requirements on LEAs to convene a conference to reconsider the agreed syllabus every five years.

3.4 The Bournemouth and Poole Agreed Syllabus currently entitled “REvisions” has been the statutory bases of RE in the two boroughs since 1999. In developing this new syllabus, a number of key considerations have been taken into account:

·  evidence from Ofsted inspection notes commendable progress in children and young people’s learning in RE and in the effectiveness of teachers’ planning and advice.

·  the need to match the amount of syllabus content included with the recommended 5% allocated curriculum time, to allow RE to be taught with depth, avoiding teaching too much and losing the depth of learning.

·  the continuing belief that Attainment Targets 1 and 2 must have equal weighting.

·  Religious Education’s significant contribution to pupil’s spiritual, moral, social, cultural and emotional development.

·  the need to bring coherent and consistent assessment procedures to the subject, using the form ‘P’ levels (small steps) and the 8 level scale (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)

·  the need to continue to develop RE learning across the “transition” years and to enhance the challenge for pupils of the Key Stage 3 curriculum.

The non-statutory national framework for RE, published in October 2004, provides the structure on which this syllabus is built.

3.5  The appended document “REaching Out, REaching Within” therefore aims to:

·  provide a structured framework enabling teachers to plan comprehensive and appropriate RE for all children and young people in Bournemouth and Poole Schools

·  ensure that RE is inclusive in its provision and assessment

·  raise expectations and standards in pupils’ attainment and achievement

·  contribute significantly to the positive, respectful ethos of the school

Jane Portman

Chief Adviser/Head of School Advice and Support Services

Contact officer:

Jan Lever, RPSHCE Adviser

01202 633559

email:


The Bournemouth and Poole

Agreed Syllabus

for

Religious Education

Bournemouth Borough

Borough of Poole Council

School Advice and Support Service Inclusion and Achievement

Civic Centre Dorset House

Poole 20-22 Christchurch Road

Dorset Bournemouth

BH15 2RU BH1 3NL

This publication can be found on www.boroughofpoole.com and www.bournemouth.gov.uk

ISBN:

Copyright© Boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole

First published 2005

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole.

Foreword

REaching Out, REaching Within is the result of considerable reflection, deliberation and consultation. It is the culmination of many minds working together to distil into a new Agreed Syllabus the best of practice from within the unique nature of Religious Education. Whilst the members of the Working Group are all experienced Religious Education teachers, it has been written particularly with the non-specialist in mind and structured to highlight the links and progression that will enable pupils to achieve the challenging expectations on which it is grounded.

Out thanks must go to Jan Lever, RPSHE Adviser to Poole and Bournemouth Schools, for all her work in driving through the development of this syllabus, to David Rees, Advanced Skills Teacher for RE, who has been her primary support and to all the teachers in both Boroughs who have been part of the Working Party. Out thanks also to all the Consultees who have given professional feedback on each successive draft and particularly to the representatives of the two SACREs who have provided guidance in the articulation of the concepts and practices that underpin all belief systems.

This syllabus is a further mark of the increasing collaboration between the Boroughs of Bournemouth and Poole and we commend it to you as an effective tool in raising further the high standards of Religious Education within our schools.

Signature ………………………………………………………………………………

(Pratap Deshpande, Director of Education, Bournemouth Borough Council)

Signature ………………………………………………………………………………

(John Nash, Policy Director (Children’s Services), Borough of Poole)

Signature ………………………………………………………………………………

(Val Powis, Chair of Bournemouth SACRE)

Signature ………………………………………………………………………………

(Derek Holloway, Chair of Poole SACRE)

REaching Out, REaching Within

The Bournemouth and Poole Agreed Syllabus

for

Religious Education 2005

Contents Guide

Page
no.
1. / Introduction and context
2. / The importance of Religious Education
3. / The legal position and statutory requirements for the provision of Religious Education
4. / Curriculum status and time allocation for Religious Education
5. / The contributions of Religious Education:
a)  To the values and aims of the school curriculum
b)  To learning across the curriculum
c)  To general teaching requirements
-  Inclusion, Learning Difficulties, Gifted and Talented
-  the use of language
-  the use of ICT
6. / Attitudes in Religious Education
7. / The structure of the Bournemouth and Poole Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education
·  Bournemouth
·  Poole
8. / Programmes of Study
·  Foundation Stage (Yellow)
·  Key Stage 1 (Pink)
·  Key Stage 2 (Green)
·  Key Stage 3 (Blue)
·  Ages 14-19
9. / Attainment Targets for Religious Education
·  Small Steps based on the former P levels, P1-P8
·  National 8 level scale
10. / Appendices
i)  Membership of the Agreed Syllabus Conferences in Bournemouth and Poole
ii)  Membership of the joint Bournemouth/Poole teachers’ working group
iii)  Sample RE policy
iv)  The non-statutory national framework for RE (QCA)
v)  Guidance: RE, pupils with learning difficulties (QCA)
vi)  Source material references to accompany KS3 Programmes of Study
vii)  Glossary of terms
REaching Out, REaching Within

1. Introduction and Context

The Bournemouth and Poole Agreed Syllabus, “Revisions” has been the statutory basis of RE in the two boroughs since 1999. In developing this new syllabus, a number of key considerations have been taken into account:

·  evidence from OfSTED inspections notes commendable progress in children and young people’s learning in RE and in the effectiveness of teachers’ planning and practice.

·  the need to match the amount of syllabus content included with the recommended 5% allocated curriculum time, to allow RE to be taught with depth, avoiding teaching too much and losing the depth of learning

·  the continuing belief that Attainment Targets 1 and 2 must have equal weighting

·  the continuing commitment to pupils’ spiritual development

·  Religious Education’s significant contribution to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and emotional development

·  the need to bring coherent and consistent assessment procedures to the subject, using the former ‘P’ levels (small steps) and the 8 level scale (Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)

·  the need to continue to develop RE learning across the “transition” years and to enhance the challenge for pupils of the KS3 curriculum.

The non-statutory national framework for RE, published in October 2004, provides the structure on which this syllabus is built.

“REaching Out, REaching Within” therefore aims to:

a)  provide a structured framework enabling teachers to plan comprehensive and appropriate Religious Education for all children and young people in Bournemouth and Poole schools

b)  ensure that RE is inclusive in its provision and assessment

c)  raise expectations and standards in pupils’ attainment and achievement

d)  contribute significantly to the positive, respectful ethos of the school.

2. The Importance of Religious Education

Religious Education in Bournemouth and Poole

·  Provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.

·  Develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions and world-views that offer answers to questions such as these. It develops pupils’ awareness and understanding of religion and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.

·  Encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities, and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community.

·  Encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions whilst exploring their own beliefs, those of the family from which they come and questions of meaning.

·  Seeks to promote opportunities to share, explore and value religious belief and in this way seeks to make a major contribution to our pupils’ spiritual development.

·  Offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, encouraging pupils to develop the ability to be still, to think deeply, to reflect and to appreciate times of stillness and silence.

·  Challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.

·  Has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables them to develop respect and empathy for, and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupil to challenge prejudice, discrimination and racism.

3. The legal position

Religious Education must be taught to all registered pupils in maintained schools, including those in the sixth form, except to those withdrawn by their parents. This requirement does not apply to nursery classes in maintained schools.

Religious Education is a component of the basic curriculum, to be taught alongside the National Curriculum in all maintained schools. In all maintained schools, other than voluntary aided schools with a religious character, it must be taught according to a locally agreed syllabus.

Locally Agreed Syllabus

Each Local Education Authority (LEA) must convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) to produce a syllabus. Once adopted by the LEA, the programme of study of the agreed syllabus sets out what pupils should be taught. The attainment levels set out the expected standards of pupils’ performance at different ages and stages. The Education Act 1996 states that an agreed syllabus must reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Each LEA must have a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). The SACRE may require a review of the agreed syllabus at any time. This is in addition to the requirement on LEAs to convene a conference to reconsider the agreed syllabus every five years.

The status of the national non statutory framework

for RE (QCA November 2004)

This document outlines the national expectations for teaching and learning in RE. It is not a National Curriculum document but exists to advise SACRE’s Agreed Syllabus Conferences and others devising RE syllabi.

(The Non-Statutory National Framework for RE is included as Appendix iv.)


Statutory Requirements for the Provision for Religious Education

Education Act 1996 352(1)(a) / RE should be provided for all registered pupils attending a maintained school
School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Schedule 19.2 / For community schools, foundation and voluntary schools without a religious character, RE must be in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus of the LEA in whose area they are situated.
School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Schedule 19.3 / For foundation and voluntary controlled schools with religious character, the RE is to be in accordance with the LEA’s locally agreed syllabus unless parents have requested that their children receive RE in accordance with the schools trust deed.
School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Schedule 19.4 / For voluntary aided schools with a religious character, the RE offered is to be determined by the governors in accordance with the trust deed.
Education Act 1996 Schedule 342(6) / In special schools, so far as is practicable, every pupil should receive Religious Education.
School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Schedule 69(1) / It is the Headteacher’s duty to secure provision. The governing body and the LEA must exercise their functions with a view to securing this provision.
Circular 1/94 / The Headteacher and the governing body must ensure that sufficient time and resources are given to RE in schools to meet their statutory requirements.
School Standards and Framework Act 1998 Section 71 / If a parent asks that a pupil should be wholly or partly excused from attending RE at the school, then the school must comply.
The right of withdrawal from RE: current advice to schools

The school remains responsible for the supervision of the child withdrawn from RE but there is no expectation on the school to set any alternative work or provide any curriculum provision for the withdrawn child. It is reasonable for the school to request that parents withdrawing their children from RE provide alternative study materials that accord with the beliefs and conscience of the parents making this request, unless this material is deemed by the governors to be offensive and contrary to the values of the school.