Religious Education

Primary and secondary schools

Religious Education in Primary Schools

A pupil in one of our schools said recently: "This school is a place where you talk about God and you treat others as you want to be treated."

Southwark Diocesan Board of Education recognises that in a Voluntary Aided Church of England school the Governing body is responsible for the syllabus for Religious Education. The headteacher and staff work with and under the direction of the Governing Body. It is the Governing Body's responsibility to ensure that the Religious Education is provided for all registered pupils including those in the sixth form, in accordance with the Trust Deed.

Primary School Scheme of Religious Education

Southwark Diocesan Board of Education's Religious Education Advisers provide advice and schemes of work for Voluntary Aided schools. These reflect the recommendations of the Non-Statutory National Framework for Religious Education 2004 www.qca.org.uk/re and Excellence and Distinctiveness, Guidance on RE in Church of England Schools 2005 www.natsoc.org.uk/schools/curriculum/re

The curriculum followed teaches pupils about religion and from religion in accordance with two attainment targets which set out the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils of different abilities and maturities are expected to have. 

Aims

In church primary schools Religious Education will enable pupils to:

  • develop knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith
  • apply an understanding of Christianity to make reasoned choices and informed responses to life issues and moral choices
  • develop knowledge and understanding of other religions and the ability to engage in dialogue with other faiths
  • apply an understanding of religion to develop sensitivity and respect toward all people
  • develop the ability to reflect on and communicate issues of truth, belief and faith.

Newsletters

The Religious Education Advisers send a news update to schools every term.

CPD Training/Coordinator's Meeting/Conferences

Training is provided for teachers and RE subject leaders in church schools.

The advisers are able to provide INSET

Contact Adviser to arrange staff INSET

RE Policy Guidance

Religious Education in Secondary Schools

Religious Education is not just an academic subject, but, lies at the very heart of the curriculum and has an important role in reflecting and conveying the distinctively Christian character of the school.

RE enables students to think theologically and explore the great questions of life and death, meaning and purpose; reflect critically on the truth claims of Christian belief; see how the truth of Christianity is relevant today and face the challenge of Jesus' teaching in a pluralist and post modern society; experience the breadth and variety of the Christian community and become active citizens, serving their neighbour.

As well exploring Christianity, students in Anglican secondary schools are given the opportunity to study other major world religions and consider what it means to be a practising member of a faith.

RE enables students to build on and develop work covered in the primary sector and so come to an understanding of the world around them. 

All Church of England Secondary Schools offer the opportunity for students to study examinations in Religious Education both at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

Support for Staff

Regular meetings for teachers of Church Secondary Schools in the Dioceses of Southwark and London are held. These meetings are a chance for teachers to share ideas and information and to discuss matters of interest.  Meetings are organised and convened by Jane Savill - the Adviser for Secondary School RE & Collective Worship.

To keep RE departments abreast of events frequent newsletters are published for schools.  Events in the Dioceses and beyond as well as resources and articles to look out for are publicised.