Religious Education in Staffordshire: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
All Staffordshire schools, other than voluntary aided schools, should be working
with the Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus.
Why isn't RE part of the National Curriculum?
Religious education in its various forms (Scripture, Divinity, Religious Instruction/Knowledge) has
been a compulsory subject in English schools since 1944. Indeed at that time it was the only
compulsory subject. The National Curriculum was introduced much later, with the Education Reform
Act of 1988. At this point RE became part of the basic curriculum which is an entitlement for every
student. The basic curriculum is RE plus the national curriculum.
So why isn't RE determined nationally, like every other subject?
The 1944 Education Act (the Butler Act) required each local authority to produce an Agreed Syllabus
for religious education. This syllabus was to be followed in every local authority school (excluding
aided schools, and those where the trust deed specified otherwise). SACREs (Standing Advisory
Councils on Religious Education) were to be appointed to advise the local authority on teaching
methods, teaching materials and the in-service training of teachers. In 1988 it was decided to uphold
these arrangements, leaving the responsibility for RE with local authorities in order to take account
of local and regional variations.
What is the Agreed Syllabus?
This is the document approved by an Agreed Syllabus Conference and adopted by the Local
Authority. It identifies what should be taught within the authority and how it should be assessed.
It has the same legal standing as any other subject orders.
Is the Agreed Syllabus ever reviewed?
It is a legal requirement to review of the Agreed Syllabus every five years. In Staffordshire this
involves extensive consultation with teachers and other interested parties. This ensures that current
priorities can be incorporated into the syllabus. The current Staffordshire syllabus was reviewed and
agreed in 2009.
Where can I get a copy?
Following a review every school is issued with an updated version of the syllabus. Further copies are
available from the Senior Adviser for RE at the Kingston Centre. Details can be found at the end of
this document.
Who has to follow the Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus?
In Staffordshire, Voluntary Aided schools must teach RE in accordance with the diocesan syllabus.
All other schools in the county are required to plan, teach and assess RE in accordance with the
Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus.
Is it possible to use an Agreed Syllabus from another authority?
No. Schools may obviously refer to other documents for ideas and inspiration, but they must be able
to show that their planning, teaching and assessment are in accordance with the Staffordshire
syllabus.
Do all students have to study RE?
Yes. All students on roll must study RE (from 4 to 19). This is not an option. However parents may
ask to withdraw their son or daughter from all or part of the RE provision and the school must
comply. Senior managers or subject leaders would usually want to discuss possibilities with parents,
although this is not a requirement and parents need give no reason for their request. In Early Years,
RE is integral to the Early Learning Goals, but in Reception, it must be taught in accordance with the
Agreed Syllabus.
Does an examination course count as RE provision in key stage 4?
In Staffordshire schools, all students in Key Stage 4 must have the opportunity to follow an
accredited course in Religious Studies. This could be Full, Short or Entry Level. Whether or not the
student is entered for a public examination is at the schools discretion.
How much time has to be allocated to RE?
The legal requirement is to allocate sufficient time to teach and assess the programmes of study or
specifications for each key stage or for an examination course. This should be approximately 5% of
curriculum time, or in line with examination board recommendations for specific courses.
Is it possible to give more time to RE in one year and not teach it in another?
No. The legislation requires that RE is taught in every year, so it is not possible to plan for RE in
Years 7 and 8 and not in Year 9. In Key Stage 4 pupils must study RE in Year 10 and Year 11.
Provision must also be made in Year 12 and Year 13
What is expected post-16?
Provision can be creative. For example RE can be offered through full day events, conferences, or
within a general studies programme.
Can I offer RE through PSHE, Humanities and/or Citizenship?
Schools are free to make their own arrangements, but must ensure that the distinctive character,
skills and knowledge identified in the Agreed Syllabus are not lost or diluted. Schools must also be
aware that RE must be withdrawable from; in other words, RE provision must be clearly identifiable
so that pupils can be withdrawn on request. At Key Stage 4, students should be following a Religious
Studies specification. Any schools wishing to follow an alternative specification must submit a
request in writing to the SACRE. Proformas can be found on the County RE website.
I've heard that RE is changing – is that true?
No. Although QCA developed the Non-statutory Framework for Religious Education in 2005 this
document is intended to support the work of SACREs and is not for use in individual schools. There
is continuing discussion about the arrangements for RE and its local status. However the law has not
changed, and the legal requirement to follow the locally Agreed Syllabus will continue for the
foreseeable future. This is not affected by the secondary curriculum review of 2009 or the primary
review of 2011.
Is RE still relevant?
More so than ever! The news presents ever more challenging issues relating to beliefs, values and
behaviours on a daily basis. Religious education in Staffordshire is issues based and focuses on
st
preparing students for adult life in the 21 century. The programmes of study require that students
learn about and learn from religion and beliefs. When asked, students themselves rate RE as an
important discipline to prepare them for work and society.
What happens if I don't have all this in place?
Pupils are not receiving their entitlement, and are missing out on knowledge, skills and
understanding which will support their development into adults with essential spiritual, moral, social
and cultural understanding and skills. In addition, religious education makes a real contribution to the
community cohesion agenda in the school.
Many jobs and professions draw on the skills and knowledge gained through RE. Being religiously
educated is becoming increasingly important for those seeking to work in medicine, social services,
the police and armed forces and indeed in any area where there is contact with the public. In a
shrinking world being religiously educated is important in our social lives, but perhaps most of all, the
ability to reflect on spiritual and moral issues in the light of the experience of the world's faiths and
philosophies is important for our personal well-being.
Thriving and vibrant RE is a hallmark of an outstanding school.