Religious Education - News and 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.
New - Now available for download!
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.
Download 'Learning about.. Learning from.. Sikhism'
Guidance 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.
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
Humanism for Schools - Teaching Toolkits
Skills development REact (Kent agreed Syllabus for RE - KAS) linked to the Personal Learning & Thinking Skills (PLTS) of the secondary national curriculum
The PLTS are intrinsic to developing the secondary national curriculum. The KAS is a skills led syllabus. Mapped here is an approach to how the skills outlined in the KAS link with the PLTS as a starting point for RE departments to adapt to suit their circumstances.
Year 11 student plans & leads lessons on "the church" for Key Stage 2 PupilsOne 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.
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).
This invaluable resource had been updated during 2008/2009 and is now available for free download.
Karen Burke (school-based AST for RE) has produced some material to support effective starters in RE - why not have a look.
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.
Assessing RE - Some Practical Examples New
Assessment in RE has been and remains for some a contentious issue. What can, can’t, should, shouldn’t be assessed alongside the practicalities of assessment raise important questions linked to the pedagogy of the subject area. The Kent Agreed Syllabus has within it statutory levels of attainment which should form the basis of expectations, teaching and learning strategies and assessment (of and for learning) opportunities. The examples provided here have been taken from the CD-Rom of the same name which has previously been sent to schools. This can be downloaded here.
I can... statements
Some 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.
Secondary schools have the opportunity to revisit either Hinduism or Islam in Key Stage 3. Here is one possible way to map the Hinduism section of the new Kent Agreed Syllabus REact for Key Stage 3. It was designed for a Grammar school so the targets and some of the assessment suggestion may have to be adapted for your context.
Support for Teaching Islam (Key Stage 3)
Guidance for Teaching Islam at Key Stage 3
Some Lesson Ideas for Teaching Islam
Islamic Pronunciation & Glossary Guide
Margate Mosque
In April/May 2008 the mosques at Margate and at Tunbridge Wells hosted twilight visits for teachers and TAs which together over 150 attended. Here are a few pictures of the interior of Margate Mosque that you may find helpful - the call to prayer, the prayer clocks and some of the prayer taking place in the mosque.
Support for Teaching Buddhism
(Key Stage 3)
Karen Burke (AST for RE) has produced some guidance for addressing Buddhism at Key Stage 3 in line with the Kent Agreed Syllabus.
| 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. |