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(02/03/2009)

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B&NES SACRE - Newsletter - December 2008

(24/02/2009)

(December 2008)

Local News:

Our two local training events delivered by Lat Blaylock successfully took place on 2^nd and 3^rd October at Saltford Golf Club. The events were well attended, with 17 participants on the Primary training day and over 50% of our Secondary schools were represented the following day. Delegates almost unanimously stated that the events were very good and they wanted more (see Course Evaluation feedback). One teacher stated, "I really appreciated the course......the Places activity really caught my eye and I have used it as the basis of a new module of work for year 7. The 5 pillars game is being added to our year 8 Hajj module. I am bringing art into my lessons and trying to use it as an assessment activity choice..."

Future training on Assessment in RE was widely requested.

I am currently in contact with OCR to try to arrange local training on the new GCSE specifications for secondary leaders and teachers. If successful, this should be a free to attend event, to be held in a local school.
The Diocese of Bath and Wells is planning a well timed course on ‘The New Secondary Curriculum'. Dave Francis has indicated that he will be leading the event. The training will take place at the Old Deanery on Wednesday 18^th March, although times and cost have yet to be confirmed.
I have been in further contact with Pat Lunt, an ex-teacher who had offered to provide training for local RE teachers. At the last SACRE meeting it was agreed that we would require further details from Pat about his prior experience in schools. Pat has replied that he has not worked as a trainer in other schools and has no references to support any training he has been involved in. He has stated that he'd be interested in trying to enthuse and support RE teachers, though he hadn't considered costs or how any events may be organised. As a way forward, I have suggested that I meet with him in future to try to plan a specific course to address the needs of teachers. Pat was also invited to speak at tonight's meeting.
Dave Francis has contacted me with regard to the review of our Agreed Syllabus. He has included a possible timetable (see Proposed Procedure and Timetable) which could result in an online syllabus rather than new printed copies. We should consider this idea and the possibility of setting up a common Agreed Syllabus website that all three LA SACREs could share, whilst maintaining individual SACRE websites.

National:

I was unable to attend the ARIEAC conference in Birmingham on 18^th November. There were difficulties gaining my membership to enable me to attend and the course was limited to 35 participants nationally. However, I have received some feedback from the event and a couple of points may be relevant to our current work. Mark Chater, QCA raised the possibility of 3 learning objectives for RE; knowledge (learning about), reflection (learning from) and understanding (bringing about and from together). Clive Erricker, whilst discussing the need to review the Hampshire syllabus, stated that SACREs ought to take their time when reviewing their AS because the current Primary review may have an impact and QCA are apparently looking at funding all SACREs to look at their Ass in 2010. Copies of the feedback are available from me.
The long awaited Rose Review was published this week. The review, conducted by Sir Jim Rose, was commissioned last year by the Schools Secretary Ed Balls, as a result of growing concerns about standards and morale in primary schools. The REC has issued the following statement; "As the Rose review is unlikely to lead to changes in primary legislation, RE will remain a statutory subject for all pupils and continue to be taught according to the locally agreed syllabus or governors' policy in a faith school. The learning that takes place in RE in primary schools is essential to children's development and the REC has been working with the Rose review to ensure that this learning retains its important place. RE is a key contributor to human, social and environmental understanding. Primary schools should be encouraged to plan in ways that both maximise RE's unique contribution to this wider area whilst at the same time maintaining the coherence and integrity of the specific RE curriculum. The REC will continue to work with the DCSF, QCA and OFSTED to ensure that learning in RE is fully recognised."

For more information on the Rose Review, see: http://www.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/phonics/rosereview/

The REC has recently published a document called ‘The RE Teacher's Media

Toolkit.' This is a new guide for generating positive local media coverage for RE. It includes ideas for stories, tips for news releases and for avoiding pitfalls. The Toolkit is available on their website (www.religiouseducationcouncil.org.uk). I also have a couple of spare copies.

The REC has also developed an RE Action Plan 2008-11. This has been developed in partnership with DCSF and is designed to strengthen the attention given to religions and beliefs in all schools. It is unclear how this will impact on RE in practice.
At the November meeting of the full REC, there was strong feeling that the TDA decision to end the funding for Subject Knowledge Booster Courses in RE would have negative consequences for recruitment to PGCE courses in 2009. It was agreed that a statement of concern would be sent to the Minister of State, Jim Knight MP. Full details on the REC website.
The content for the Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences is currently being designed. It is to be launched in 2011 and aims to provide a new way of teaching which offers learners an innovative way to access these areas through practical learning, together with theoretical teaching.
NATRE has produced some new resources to support RE teachers in primary schools. The first, Summer 2008 focuses on ‘Making every child matter'. The second, Autumn 2008 is called ‘Supporting gifted and talented children. These both include a range of suitable strategies for improving RE. Details on; www.natre.org.uk. I have some spare copies available.

D Campbell: Training and Development Services

(Sources: REToday, REonline, NATRE, REC)

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