Religious Education - News & Views
*****New National Guidance Published*****
The DCSF has published non-statutory guidance for RE. This guidance replaces the elements of Circular 1/94 that relate to RE and explains that RE is a distinctive but core part of the basic curriculum for maintained schools in England (Section 80(1) of the Education Act 2002).
The purpose of this guidance, produced by DCSF, is to support the provision of high-quality religious education (RE) in maintained schools in England. It provides clear non-statutory guidance about RE in the curriculum and the roles of those who have a responsibility for, involvement in or interest in the subject.
Here is some further guidance on teaching Sikhism to complement the "Learning about.... Learning from... Sikhism" guidance for the transition unit. Thanks to Karen Burke (one of the RE ASTs) for this.
Sikhism - Glossary of Key Words
The challenge of researching Sikhism before teaching it prompted primary AST Elaine Arundell to create a glossary of the key words.
What is Humanism?
Humanism as a secular world view - What do those with a non-faith perspective think of the Kent RE syllabus? Can we teach it?
Help for Incorporating Humanism into your Schemes of Work - Resources & Website Links
Guidance 
Wednesday 5th May 2010
6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Oakwood House, Oakwood Park, Maidstone ME16 8AEReligious Literacy - Professor Andrew Wright
I am really pleased to confirm that Professor Andrew Wright has accepted SACRE's invitation to speak at the 2nd Annual Kent SACRE lecture. The lecture will begin at 6:00p.m. with light refreshments and will end by 8:00p.m.
Further details to follow but book the date in your diary now.
Visit to Greek Orthodox Church of St Michael the Archangel in Margate
An informative visit to the Orthodox Church of St Michael the Archangel in Margate was enjoyed on Monday 8th June 2009.
Amongst other things we were given insight into the building, the importance of icons and the role of the priest within the community. Tea and scones rounded off the visit.
Thanks to the community for their warm welcome.
Support for Teaching Christmas
If your school is using RE Today's Christmas: a year by year approach book (from the Developing RE series) you might like these "I can..." statements to go with it, developed by Pamela and Shonagh Dunn (from Newington Primary School, Ramsgate).
Support for Teaching Shabbat (Judaism) at Key Stage 1
This PowerPoint presentation might give you some ideas and help when teaching about Shabbat across Key stage 1.
RE Conference - Be REactive
Keynote and Workshop notes - 6th February 2009Here is the keynote address by Lat Blaycock and some summary notes from the workshops for you to download.
Year 11 student plans & leads lessons on "the church" for Key Stage 2 Pupils
One of the year 11 boys from The Community College Whitstable has combined his interest in RE and photography to put together a lesson for younger pupils focusing on the church. He has planned and delivered this and you can read more details about his experience here.
Look out for:-
Shaping the Spirit: policy & practice for promoting spiritual development in the educational context from the Advisory Service Kent (ASK) and the Kent Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
A free copy of this practical resource has been sent to all Kent schools during term 4 (March 2009).
Copies can also be purchased for £8.50 (including postage & packing) from ASK Publications.Also available: Gathering Together: policy & practice for collective worship (ASK & Kent SACRE) - £8.50 (including postage & packing) from ASK Publications.
Karen Burke (school-based AST for RE) has produced some material to support effective starters in RE - why not have a look - if you have any ideas of your own that you want to pass on and share please send them to Allan Foster.
Katie Milborrow of Hawkinge Primary School has kindly offered the following 'Thinking Starters' for teaching Hinduism (Year 2 Terms 1 & 2). Why not give them a go and see how your pupils respond?
New Collective Worship Guidance from SACRE
On the SACRE page is some information relating to 'Gathering Together; policy and practice for collective worship', SACRE's new guidance material.
Learning about..... Learning From... Sikhism
A resource to help teachers in Year 6 and across Key Stage 3 plan and deliver the statutory Sikhism transition unit of the Kent Agreed Syllabus. This resource has been produced by the Advisory Service Kent to support in the effective development of the Sikhism transition unit and a copy has gone free into all Kent schools with Year 6 and Key Stage 3 pupils. Further copies can be purchased at a cost of £8:50 (including postage and packing) from ASK Publications.
SACRE Award for the creative implementation of the Kent Agreed Syllabus
SACRE is pleased to announce that the following schools have gained the SACRE award for creatively implementing the Kent Agreed Syllabus:
Southborough CE Primary School - Key Stage 1 award
Rose Street Primary School - Key Stage 2 award
Castle Community College - Key Stage 3 award
Foxwood Special School - Special School award
In addition the following schools' entries were commended:
Saltwood CE Primary School
Chiddingstone CE Primary School
Staplehurst School School
West Minster Primary School
Hawkinge Primary School
Brunswick House Primary School
Bidborough CE Primary SchoolSome examples of 'I can ...' statements linked to the levels of the Kent Agreed Syllabus are now available for free download.
I can... statements - more examples
Due to requests here are more 'I can....' statements taken from the 'Assessing RE: Some Practical Examples' CD-Rom. They can be adapted to cover different topics very easily. Download.
Support for Teaching Islam (Key Stage 2)
Some Lesson Ideas for Teaching Islam
Margate Mosque
There are some pictures (available for free download) of the interior of Margate Mosque - including the prayer clock and ablutions area and some prayer taking place in the mosque. Thanks to the Imam and members of the mosque for allowing these pictures to be used.
Support for teaching Hinduism at
Key Stage 1Pamela Draycott has developed a PowerPoint presentation around Hindu worship in the home as a resource to help in implementing the Kent Agreed Syllabus in Key Stage . There are also some background notes for teachers to download.
Please note: this section is called News (and views). It is hoped to include in here comments and examples of quality RE work led by teachers in Kent in primary, secondary and special schools. If you have a piece of work/and approach that works really well in your school that you would like to share – why not contact Allan Foster to discuss how this can be shared.
