Agenda item

Report No: DCYP10074

At the previous meeting it was decided that some time would be spent at the May meeting looking at the Bromley Agreed Syllabus in accordance with the development plan. Members had been sent the internet link to the current syllabus. Whilst there was time before the Agreed Syllabus Conference needed to be held, the opportunity was taken to raise awareness of the current syllabus. The RE Adviser outlined the current RE syllabus for both Primary and Secondary Schools in Bromley. The publication currently in use for primary schools in Bromley was the “Bromley Primary Scheme of Work for Religious Education 2004” published by LB Bromley. For secondary schools the documents used were “Religious Education: the non-statutory national framework 2004”, published by the Department for Education & Skills, and the “Bromley Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2007) published by LB Bromley.

The Chairman and RE Adviser gave a verbal report on syllabus information given at the QCDA conference held in March 2010. A new document entitled “RE in English Schools: Non Statutory Guidance 2010, had been published by the Department for Children Schools and Families.

The RE Adviser stated that in Bromley it had been decided it was not appropriate for secular study at primary schools, but secular views were taught in secondary schools. Christianity was however the core religion to be studied at each stage.

The RE Adviser commented that some teachers were not happy with the study of Pilgrimages in Year 6, and some teachers at Key stage 1 felt that the syllabus was a “bit dull” and added things to it.  The Rev Camp stated that he would not like to see pilgrimages disappear from the curriculum, and asked what teachers added to the syllabus. The RE Adviser said that sometimes the teachers added information in about other faiths, especially if they had children from a non-Christian faith in their class. Teachers had expressed anxiety not about content but about support to deliver RE education.  Mark Chater from the QCDA had worked with a number of SACREs on what the syllabus might look like. The ideas being put forward were that the Primary Curriculum was going to be much freer, and more about concepts than content.

Ms Tranchina commented that often in Primary Schools RE was taught by non-RE specialists who were happy to use the current guidance.  The RE Adviser added that often class room assistants were also expected to help with teaching RE.

The Assistant Director for Learning and Achievement suggested that Bromley should look objectively at neighbouring authorities to see what they were doing.

The Chairman made the following comments:

1. A stronger picture needed to be obtained about what Religious Education really looks like in schools - more anecdotal evidence is needed. It is necessary to find the true picture of what teachers want in order to help them teach and deliver.

2. Bromley should maintain its distinctiveness as an Authority

3. A modern and relevant curriculum should be developed (The Chairman considered that the current Bromley Syllabus was dated in its style and approach.)

  The Chairman considered that the end product should be for teachers to have a syllabus which they could “run with” and which would be adaptable with maximum flexibility. He remarked that it was important to listen to the views expressed by the Youth SACRE. There were some fantastic teachers in Bromley and some who needed support. It would be quite a challenge to produce a syllabus which was more exciting and creative.

  RESOLVED that information from the CD “Essential SACREs” should be presented at the next meeting with the first 30 minutes of the meeting being used to explain how SACRE works which would be of benefit, particularly to new members.