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ITEM CMDSI4
CABINET
MEMBER FOR SCHOOLS IMPROVEMENT – 6 MARCH 2007
RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION IN OXFORDSHIRE – THE AGREED SYLLABUS
Report by
Director for Children, Young People & Families
Introduction
- Every five years a Local
Authority is required to review its Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education
(RE). The process is activated by the Standing Advisory Council for
RE (SACRE) who request the Local Authority to set up an Agreed Syllabus
Conference. (ASC) The ASC is a statutory body, empowered to determine
the Agreed Syllabus for the County. The membership of the ASC is determined
by law with four committees: World religions and Christian denominations,
Church of England, Local Authority (Councillors), Teachers.
- The Agreed Syllabus Conference
has unanimously recommended that a new syllabus is adopted. Where it
appears to the Local Authority that the Syllabus "reflects the fact
that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian
while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal
religions represented in Great Britain, the authority may give effect
to the recommendation". (Schedule 312 of the Education Act 1996).
The Process of Review
- The Agreed Syllabus Conference
was set up in March 2005 and has subsequently met on four occasions,
(June 2005, November 2005, May 2006, and December 2006). Some members
of the ASC have acted as a Writing Group and have met on a regular basis,
reporting back to the full Conference. Schools have been consulted through
a questionnaire and there have been detailed consultations with the
various faith groups. All representatives on the ASC have contributed
through meetings and written comments.
The Brief of the Agreed
Syllabus Conference
- The brief of the ASC was
to review the current syllabus (published 1999) and draft a new document.
The National Non Statutory Framework for RE (published 2004 QCA/DfES)
was used as a reference document alongside the review of a range of
new syllabuses from other LAs. The detailed review of documents and
the drafting of the new syllabus has been carried out by the Writing
Group. The full Conference has received reports at each meeting.
Key Points of
the Revised Agreed Syllabus
- (i) it is based on the
National Non Statutory Framework for RE, currently being used by many
LAs in the writing of Agreed Syllabuses;
(ii) it
builds on the current syllabus with much of the subject content being
retained but it also includes a focus on Every Child Matters, the contribution
RE makes to Citizenship, Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development
and the inclusion agenda;
(iii) there
is a clear focus on assessment requirements enabling teachers to plan
for raising achievement through challenging units of work;
(iv) it
requires that by the end of Key Stage 4, all students will have had
the opportunity to study the major world religions with Christianity
being studied on a regular basis.
Financial and Staff
Implications
- Minimal expenses are involved
in the printing and distribution of the Syllabus through the EES budget.
RECOMMENDATION
- The Cabinet Member for
Schools Improvement is RECOMMENDED to confirm the revised Agreed Syllabus
for Oxfordshire with effect from September 2008 and to agree its dissemination
to schools.
(Statement of Decision)
KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Head of
Children Young People & Families
Background
papers: Nil
Contact Officer: Isobel
Vale, Schools Adviser, RE Specialist, Tel: (01865) 428075
February 2007
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