Supporting Christian Education

SOUTHWARK DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION

Supporting Christian Education

POLICY STATEMENT

KEY STAGE FIVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOLS

The Southwark Diocesan Board of Education’s Religious Education (Key Stage 5) is based upon “Religious Education in Church of England Schools: A Statement of Entitlement from the Board of Education/National Society Council.” The Board also has due regard for “Religious Education The non-statutory National Framework” (Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency. 2004.) and “Religious Education in English Schools: Non-statutory Guidance 2010” (Department for Children, Schools and Families.)

Religious Education (RE) is a statutory requirement for all students in Key Stage 5 who are registered in a school. In all Diocesan C of E schools it is expected that the RE is seen at the heart of Christian distinctiveness of the C of E school and central to school effectiveness. As such, RE must be given the priority that it deserves as a core subject in the curriculum and aim to be an outstanding specialism of the school. It is intended that the RE provided will be of the highest quality, aiming for excellence in teaching and learning. The RE needs to be innovative, creative, exciting and engaging and its relevance made clear for all. The SDBE advocates that the school develops a Faith Group which can oversee implementation of and monitor RE provision in the school.

The RE provided in Key Stage 5 should enable students to:

 have the opportunity of studying the subject at AS and A Level;

 build upon the knowledge and understanding of RE gained in the primary school and throughout Key Stages 3 and 4;

 develop skills such as critical analysis, synthesis, empathy, independent thinking and reflection.

 enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;

 engage and interact with the subtleties and intricacies of belief and faith in a diverse society;

 give students the opportunity to deal with the sensitive inner world of others’ spiritual expression in belief, practice and action;

 recognise the need for co-operation with others and the understanding of human interrelatedness;

It is important that RE continues to be part of a coherent curriculum that enables students to draw on their own values and beliefs in making independent decisions and choices, as they prepare for adult life in the 21st century. In RE students should be encouraged to question and reflect through a varied and exciting curriculum using a variety of learning strategies. RE should give students the chance to develop skills and attitudes which will be of life long value.

Although legally, students in the sixth form have the option of withdrawing from the teaching of RE, it is expected that by applying to a church school, they understand the school’s distinctive Christian character and recognise that RE is central to the life of the school, and therefore will not feel it is necessary to withdraw from RE lessons. For these reasons it is vital that the aims of RE are properly understood by the whole school community and that the RE is inclusive and taught in such a way that it is seen as non-threatening and relevant for all students in our diocesan church schools.

March 2004 (Schools Committee)

Revised: November 2013 (Schools Committee) To be reviewed June 2016