Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Education, has recently intimated that Religious Education will be included in the curriculum view this autumn.

Although details remain few, when questioned by Chris Bryant (MP for Rhondda) about the possibility that schools may effectively opt out of religious education and sex and relationship education, Michael Gove responded:

‘As part of our curriculum review later this year, we shall address both religious education and sex and relationship education. I agree that it is important that when sex and relationship education is reformed - as it will be - we go for the maximum consensus across the House, and that we do so in a way that ensures that as many schools as possible buy into our belief that we should have a 21st century curriculum that reflects a modern understanding of sex and relationships.'
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm100719/debtext/100719-0001.htm#10071915000003

Many commentators have pointed out the fact that, while referenced, religious education is quickly dropped from this statement. The form that the curriculum review will take is certainly unclear. Just how religious education will feature in this review is equally muddy. However, this is certainly something that people in the RE world will be watching very closely over the summer.

James Robson 22/07/2010

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May 2010

A New Social Network for RE

[20.05.10] ( http://news.reonline.org.uk/re_news.php?313 )

REonline has recently launched a new online social network for RE (www.share-re.org.uk). This is for everyone involved in religious education and enables users to network at a professional level.

Entitled Share, the site has been piloted with Oxford University's RE PGCE group and has proved a great success with trainees, tutors and mentors. Users can set up profiles, join and set up groups, search for and share resources and get help and advice from their peers.

This is a very exciting move for RE and keeps the subject at the cutting edge of ICT technology. We hope all RE professionals will join the network and really connect with RE. We are also extending an open invitation to all RE organizations and RE PGCE groups to freely use the site to interact with their members and trainees, promote their resources and news or simply to promote themselves to the RE community.

For more information, see: www.share-re.org.uk
Or for advice on how the network might be used in your organization, contact James Robson - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

James Robson 20/05/2010

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Apr 2010

REsilience April 2010 Newsletter

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/downloads/REsilience_News_1.pdf

REsilience offers an exciting training opportunity for teachers of RE through building their confidence to handle contentious issues. The project gives schools individual support and broadens perspectives for community cohesion.

The Resilience new web site can be found here : www.RE-silience.org.uk

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Apr 2010

NASACRE Spring 2010 Newsletter

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/downloads/Newsletters/Newsletter_27.pdf

In this Issue

From the chair p1
Bromley Youth SACRE p4
Linking Schools & Faith Communities p5
7000 hours p6
BREA p8
Holocaust Memorial Day: Exeter p9
Celebrating RE month p11
The on-line Self Evaluation F’work p12
REsilience p13
Bexley Multi-faith Forum p15
Bromley Sixth Form conference p16
Backpage p17

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Apr 2010

Sex education and primary curriculum reforms abandoned

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/apr/07/primary-reforms-abandoned-labour

Tories block Labour's latest education reforms in rush to pass remaining bills before parliament is dissolved

Polly Curtis, Whitehall correspondent

guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 7 April 2010 20.00 BST

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Jan 2010

RE and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Electronic Handbook

(From REC website)

One of the strands of the RE Action Plan, in partnership between the REC and the DCSF, is the development of an electronic Handbook to support CPD in RE. The resource will be web based. There is a Steering Group chaired by AREIAC supported by NATRE, AULRE, SHAP and the REC. The Steering Group has appointed Angela Gluck to be the Chief Editor and Professors Liam Gearon and Julian Stern as Assistant Editors. The resource will include sections on the teaching of religious traditions and also the range of pedagogies involved in the teaching of religion. Also, it will include sections on the teaching of controversial issues in RE and Community Cohesion. For each section, there will be a scholarly input and classroom based practitioner inputs. This will include links to key sites, resources for CPD at University level and audio-visual examples from actual classroom teaching. Writers are in the process of being commissioned and beginning to produce draft contributions. The resource will be completed by Spring 2010.

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Feb 2010

DCFS Report on Resources used in RE

From Rosemary, RE Today (http://www.retoday.org.uk/news/report_warwick)

Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit (WRERU) has a report on a large scale study for the UK Government’s Department for Children, Schools and Families out this morning. 29 researchers and reviewers were involved in this study, the first ever to focus on the use of materials used in religious education. The research was led by Professor Bob Jackson.

In addition to reviews of numerous books, audio visual materials and websites by panels of specialist academics, faith group consultants and professional experts, there were 20 case studies of different schools across England, including maintained and independent. primary and secondary, and faith based and non faith based schools, plus a quantitative survey of schools of all types.

The study will be of interest to anyone concerned with education about religions and beliefs.

DCSF-RR197_Warwick_Report_RE_Resources_2010.pdf

The report, research brief and appendices are all available as separate free downloadable pdfs on the DCSF publications website

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Feb 2010

QCDA : New Look National Curriculum Website

New-look National Curriculum website goes live

This week sees the launch of the National Curriculum website, which now includes the new primary curriculum and a range of tools and information to support it, including:

an interactive video tour of the site's highlights
a short introductory guide to the new primary curriculum
a tool to help teachers design and plan their own curriculum
an interactive tool which allows teachers to view selected curriculum areas side-by-side
new case studies which show how schools have used their curriculum to make real improvements in outcomes for their learners

The website is a big step forward in making the new primary curriculum come to life for headteachers and the school workforce, and makes the curriculum easily accessible for all. Schools and teachers now have the information and support to start planning for the introduction of this new curriculum. We will be adding more material to the site during 2010, including professional development materials, guidance and enhanced online tools.

The secondary part of the website now includes a section on evaluating your curriculum, more information on curriculum design and improved links from subject areas.

We have worked with heads and teachers and with accessibility experts to help ensure that the website is useful, intuitive to use, and more accessible for disabled users.

Alongside web-based resources, QCDA has produced a new primary handbook and introductory guidance, which are being sent to all schools and local authorities during February. A team of regional primary curriculum network advisers will be working with local authorities to support the development of local programmes of support and identify and disseminate good practice.

I suggest you first take the curriculum tour for a succinct overview of the primary curriculum, and to learn more about the new features on the website.

We are keen to hear from users to help us continue improving the website. So if you would like to leave feedback or work with us to showcase how your school is using these materials, then please contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thank you for your interest in the curriculum.

Yours sincerely

David McVean
Director of Curriculum Development

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Mar 2010

RE and the New Primary Curriculum

QCDA and NASACRE announce that they are planning a major conference for SACRE members which will take place in London on Wednesday 24th March 2010, from 10.00am to 3.30pm.

The programme for the day will include:

An introduction to the new Primary Curriculum
How RE will relate to the new Primary Curriculum
Designing Agreed Syllabuses in the new context

The venue will be in central London, details to be confirmed. Further news of this will be posted on the NASACRE website.

A place will be reserved for one representative from each SACRE. Additional places may be available nearer the date when the take-up of places is known.

In order to register and to confirm your SACRE’s acceptance of the reserved place, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with details of the name of your SACRE’s representative and their contact information.

Please contact me for any other questions about the conference.

Michael Metcalf via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and 01785 600260

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Jan 2010

Buddhistdoor Children Books

Dear friends,

Kindly be informed that the Buddhism Key Stage 1 and 2 books published by the Buddhist Education Foundation (UK) are now available for downloading from the following website:

http://www.buddhistdoor.com

Buddhistdoor.com --> English --> Community --> Reading Corner --> Digital Files Download --> Children Buddhist Books

The 4 books for downloading are:

Buddhism Key Stage 1 textbook

Buddhism Key Stage 1 workbook

Buddhism Key Stage 2 textbook

Buddhism Key Stage 2 teacher's guide

Although the Buddhist Education Foundation (UK) is no longer in operation, I would like to thank you once again for your previous support, and hope you'll find this message useful.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Tang

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Mar 2011

RE Celebration 2011 Project Support Officer

The RE Council of England and Wales is engaged in planning a bi-national RE Celebration throughout the month of March 2011.

The purpose of the month is to celebrate RE’s unique contribution to the learning and lives of children and young people in schools and colleges, to inspire and enthuse teachers, SACREs, faith and belief communities and members of the general public, and to encourage a wealth of events and experiences to show what RE at its best can be like.

http://www.retoday.org.uk/news/re-celebration-2011-project-support-officer

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Feb 2010

NASACRE Training Course for Currently Serving Members

when : 10/02/2010

where : Bloomsbury Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue
London, WC2H 8EP, United Kingdom, 020 7240 0544
http://www.bloomsbury.org.uk/about/location.html

More info from : marjoriecrombie(at)hotmail.com or secretary(at)nasacre.org.uk

Training for new members :

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/ then Building your SACRE capacity

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Jan 2010

The Company of Educators Master's Seminar Programme 2010

On Thursday January 28 2010, 18.00-20.00 at Innholders Hall, 30 College St London we are holding a discussion meeting on Faith schools. The two main speakers will be Professor Roderick Floud, Past Master of the Guild, and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg.

We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible and notes will go out nearer the time to find out how many people will be attending.

With best wishes

Lis Goodwin Secretary to the Education Committee : lisgoodwin(at)btinternet.com,

Secretary of Edu Committee : geoffrey.edwards(at)btinternet.com, 07912 209515

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Nov 2009

Faith schools and community cohesion

By Simon Barrow, http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/10691

This is the text of the keynote address to a public meeting and discussion for Inter Faith Week 2009, hosted by Canterbury and District Inter-Faith Action

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Dec 2009

The NASACRE/Westhill Young Inter-Faith Projects : The 2009 Awards

Congratulations to the following who have been awarded funding for 2009/10.

Bromley: (£1300) "Faith Numbers" – a one day conference for Year 12 pupils addressing issues of community cohesion for the future, and leading to the formation of a Youth SACRE.
Redcar & Cleveland: (£5000) A project on the refugee experience which involves the Borough's eleven secondary schools and uses the interactive exhibition "Escape to Safety" with a project worker and assemblies.
Solihull: (£5000) A conference for 30 Year 6 pupils, leading to carefully planned visits to places of worship and the production of a quality DVD resource for use in all Solihull Primary Schools.
Southwark: (£5000) A project working with Primary and Secondary pupils to explore identity, faith and reconciliation in the context of diversity and gang culture and produce a teaching resource to include statement banks and role play ideas.
Suffolk: (£3000) A one day conference on ethical and global issues for gifted Year 7-9 pupils to prepare for involvement in the UNICEF Youth Voice project and launch three pyramid networks.
Torbay: (£2000) The extension of last year's part-funding for TIFFY – Torbay Inter-Faith Forum 4 Youth, giving support to their project "Community Building Through Crossing Boundaries".
Waltham Forest: (£5000) Production of a quality pilot teaching resource in the form of a film/video of a local pupil in partnership with a SACRE member acting as guides to a visit to their place of worship.
Windsor and Maidenhead: (£2000) A well-planned RE Film Festival, with a short DVD competition for Year 6 and 9 pupils, is already under way. The Award will release funds for further development of the project.

http://www.nasacre.org.uk/

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Nov 2009

Faith in action funding : Round 2 now openhttp://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/faiths-in-actionCan my organisation apply?
Faiths in Action is for local projects and activities, and is open to faith, inter faith, voluntary and community sector organisations at national, regional and local levels in England.For full eligibility criteria, please read the guidance notes (available to download below).How much can my organisation apply for?
The maximum size of a grant in Round 2 is £6,000What is the deadline?
There is no formal deadline for applications – Round 2 is a rolling programme.
Applications will be accepted in the date and time order that they are received by CDF, until the total value of the eligible, relevant applications received equals the overall value of the fund.What does my organisation need to apply?click here for docs and forms
If you would like a hard copy version of the guidance notes, please call 01223 406533 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it When will my organisation receive the funding?
Grants will be distributed from April 2010 and will fund activities that take place between April 2010 and March 2011.

What is the funding for?
Faiths in Action funds both new and existing projects. We welcome those that support women and young people. You can also apply in partnership with another group or organisation if this helps your project.

In your application, you must show how your project relates to one or more of the fund’s four priorities:

A. Developing the confidence and skills to "bridge" and "link"
B. Supporting shared spaces for interaction and social action
C. Developing structures and processes which support dialogue and social action
D. Improving opportunities for learning which build understanding

These priorities come from the Government’s framework, Face to Face and Side by Side

Questions?
Consult our Frequently Asked Questions
or contact the Faiths in Action helpline:
Tel: 01223 406533
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Home

July 2009

Curriculum Reform Consultation

Curriculum Reform Consultation (HTML format)

Department for Children, Schools and Families;

Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

Summary:

This consultation seeks views on major changes to the primary curriculum; personal, social, health and economic education across both primary and secondary phases; subject-level descriptions; and updated non-statutory guidance on religious education.

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2009

Religion and Place in East London

Religion and Place is a Building Exploratory initiative, which aims to increase knowledge, understanding and awareness of places of worship in East London. To date we have visited and researched more that 200 buildings in Hackney and Tower Hamlets as part of two innovative community projects.

Religion and Place in Tower Hamlets explored all buildings used as places of workshop in Tower Hamlets with five artists and students from five schools in the borough. Places of Worship 2009: Hackney and Tower Hamlets investigated the condition and significance of listed places of worship with a volunteer survey group.

Our interest in places of worship is ongoing and we provide building visits for school groups and adults, to find out more please visit our website.

Please click on the links below to find out more about these projects.

http://www.religionandplace.org.uk/

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2009

Ofsted : Faith schools prepare pupils to be good citizens

Ref No: NR- 2009-47 Date: 22 Oct 2009

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/News/Press-and-media/2009/October/Faith-schools-prepare-pupils-to-be-good-citizens

Independent faith schools give pupils a strong sense of personal worth and help them understand the importance of being a good citizen according to a report published today by Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills.

The report, Independent faith schools, reveals that in all 51 independent faith schools visited this was nurtured through their ethos, the curriculum and in regular individual and communal prayers and thanksgiving.

Also :

Ofsted : Independent faith Schools

Date: 22 Oct 2009 HMI: 090093

The survey was conducted at the request of the Secretary of State to establish the fitness for purpose of the standard and five regulations that registered independent faith schools are required to meet, and their contribution to preparing children and young people for life in Britain. In the 51 schools visited, there was no conflict between their aims and the regulations. The regulations enable schools to prepare their pupils appropriately, although clarification of the language is required in some instances.

Ofsted's Report

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