Management Information Sheet
Provision of RE in Schools
We have been asked by the Standing Advisory Council on RE to clarify the statutory position of religious education.
Every maintained school in England must provide a basic curriculum. This includes provision for RE for all registered pupils at the school (including those in the sixth form), except for those withdrawn by their parents (or withdrawing themselves if they are aged 18 or over) in accordance with Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
The key statutory document in determining the teaching of RE is the Norfolk locally agreed syllabus.
In relation to academies, the Religious Education Guidance (2010) states that, ‘all academies are required, through their funding agreements, to teach RE. For academies without a religious character, this will be the locally agreed syllabus. For denominational academies with a religious character (Church of England or Roman Catholic – but also Muslim and most Jewish academies), this will be in line with the denominational syllabus. For non-denominational (such as Christian) faith academies this can be either of the above, depending on the wishes of the sponsor and what is agreed by Ministers.’ (p.15-16)
In Voluntary Aided schools RE is to be determined by the governors and in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed relating to the school or, where there is no provision in the trust deed, with the religion or denomination mentioned in the order designating the school as having a religious character.
In recent announcements from the DfE concerning the review of the curriculum, the following is stated in paragraph 11, ‘There are a number of important components of a broad and balanced school curriculum for which, as is currently the case, it would be inappropriate to prescribe national Programmes of Study. This applies, for example, in the case of religious education (RE), where what is taught needs to reflect local circumstances. Religious education will not, therefore, be considered as part of the review of the National Curriculum.
The Government does not intend to make any changes to the statutory basis for religious education.’
If you have any questions about the statutory position of religious education please contact Kathryn Wright, Adviser to Norfolk SACRE.
Every maintained school in England must provide a basic curriculum. This includes provision for RE for all registered pupils at the school (including those in the sixth form), except for those withdrawn by their parents (or withdrawing themselves if they are aged 18 or over) in accordance with Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
The key statutory document in determining the teaching of RE is the Norfolk locally agreed syllabus.
In relation to academies, the Religious Education Guidance (2010) states that, ‘all academies are required, through their funding agreements, to teach RE. For academies without a religious character, this will be the locally agreed syllabus. For denominational academies with a religious character (Church of England or Roman Catholic – but also Muslim and most Jewish academies), this will be in line with the denominational syllabus. For non-denominational (such as Christian) faith academies this can be either of the above, depending on the wishes of the sponsor and what is agreed by Ministers.’ (p.15-16)
In Voluntary Aided schools RE is to be determined by the governors and in accordance with the provisions of the trust deed relating to the school or, where there is no provision in the trust deed, with the religion or denomination mentioned in the order designating the school as having a religious character.
In recent announcements from the DfE concerning the review of the curriculum, the following is stated in paragraph 11, ‘There are a number of important components of a broad and balanced school curriculum for which, as is currently the case, it would be inappropriate to prescribe national Programmes of Study. This applies, for example, in the case of religious education (RE), where what is taught needs to reflect local circumstances. Religious education will not, therefore, be considered as part of the review of the National Curriculum.
The Government does not intend to make any changes to the statutory basis for religious education.’
If you have any questions about the statutory position of religious education please contact Kathryn Wright, Adviser to Norfolk SACRE.