Religious Education in Staffordshire
Religious education is a vibrant, exciting and challenging area of the curriculum.
With its focus on religion and religions, ideas and philosophies, global and personal issues, it has never been more relevant.
RE teaches young people to think, to consider their own views and values and to take account of what others believe. There are opportunities to explore what lies at the heart of human action, to consider the implications of commitment, and to share ideas about life's big questions. This is essential preparation for adult life in a rapidly shrinking and ever-changing world.
The skills and knowledge which go into making a religiously educated student are valued qualifications for, for example;
-
health professionals
-
the police
-
the armed forces
-
the teaching profession
-
politics
-
the media
Religious education is good when......
Religious Education in Staffordshire: Frequently Asked Questions
RE in Staffordshire schools
Every school in Staffordshire, with the exception of Voluntary Aided schools, must ensure that pupils receive their entitlement to RE, taught in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus.
A summary of the legal requirements, taken from the local syllabus, can be found below:
Summary of Staffordshire requirements for RE
What does the law require in your school?
The Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus
The current Staffordshire syllabus was reviewed during the academic year 2008-2009 and was issued to schools in September 2009 along with a separate document of policy guidance.
The Staffordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2009
Policy Guidance for Religious Education in Staffordshire: Non-statutory guidance
The Syllabus details the statutory requirements for all community, foundation and voluntary controlled schools in Staffordshire. All pupils on roll in these schools, from 4 to 19 and including those in Reception, are entitled to religious education in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus as part of the basic curriculum. For pupils on roll in the Early Years, RE should be taught through opportunities identified in the Early Learning Goals.
There is a programme of learning for each key stage highlighting concepts and learning experiences. Content can be chosen to reflect the nature of the school community, to build on the strengths of teachers, and to provide the best illustrations of the key questions under investigation.
To assist teachers in pitching work at the right level, to support progress and develop challenge in RE, the syllabus includes a levelled scale comparable to those used in national curriuculum subjects.
Planning for RE in Staffordshire follows a process designed to develop the qualities characteristic of a religiously educated person. Learning starts with the challenge of the key concepts and big questions (Issues/Questions) followed by an investigation of knowledge (Religion/Content), exploration of language and imagery (Meaning/Exploration) and an opportunity to reflect (Lifestance/Reflection).
The Staffordshire RE Process
Support materials
Support materials to assist teachers in planning for creative RE in Staffordshire using the new syllabus are currently being developed.
Religious education in the curriculum
Since 1944, it has been a legal requirement to teach religious education in schools in England. The responsibility for deciding on what is taught was given to local authorities (LAs) by the 1944 Education Act, and each LA was required to produce an agreed syllabus for use in local schools.
With the introduction of the national curriculum in 1988 RE became part of the basic curriculum (RE plus the national curriculum) but remained the responsibility of the local authority. RE continues to be an entitlement for every pupil throughout their school career, and schools, other than voluntary aided schools and those of a religious character, must teach religious education according to the locally agreed syllabus.
Religious education makes an important and distinctive contribution to the school curriculum by developing pupils' knowledge and understanding of religion, religious and secular beliefs, practices, language and traditions and their influence on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. It enables pupils to consider and respond to a range of important questions related to their own spiritual development, the development of values and attitudes and fundamental questions concerning the meaning and purpose of life.
The Staffordshire approach to RE focuses on tackling big questions and current issues, making RE intriguing, exciting and relevant for young people growing up in the 21st century.
Last Modified:
22/08/2010 09:10:57
Back to top