DATE: 7 MAY 2002
TITLE: AGREED SYLLABUS FOR
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE) IN ISLE OF WIGHT COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY CONTROLLED
SCHOOLS
PORTFOLIO HOLDER - EDUCATION AND
LIFELONG LEARNING
1.
There
is a statutory requirement upon the Isle of Wight Standing Advisory Council for
Religious Education (SACRE) and the Authority to have in place an approved
Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. In community and voluntary controlled
schools the content of all religious education must be in accordance with the
approved Local Agreed Syllabus.
2.
Following
review of the current Agreed Syllabus and report to the Education, Community
Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee, in March 2000, it was recommended
that the current syllabus be revised and brought into line with changes in the
structure of the National Curriculum, its assessment and subject best practice.
SYLLABUS
REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT
3.
After
a full consultation with schools and SACRE the preparation of a new syllabus
took place through the SACRE curriculum development group. Views expressed by
schools at consultation meetings and current national guidance have been fully
considered in the development of the new syllabus.
4.
On
approval the implementation of the new syllabus will be supported by a
teachers’ handbook and appropriate training.
SYLLABUS
APPROVAL
5.
Approval
of an Agreed Syllabus for RE must follow a statutory process as set out below:
Recommendation
to a duly covened Agreed Syllabus Conference;
Adoption
by the Executive on behalf of the Local Education Authority.
6.
An
Agreed Syllabus Conference, as required by the Education Act 1993, was covened
on 11 October 2001. Recommendation from this Conference was to commend the new
Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education to the Executive for adoption on behalf
of the Isle of Wight Local Education Authority for use in all community and
voluntary controlled schools.
7.
Options:
Under
statute the Executive may give effect to the recommendation of the Agreed
Syllabus Conference of 11 October 2001;
Or
If
the Executive fails to accept the recommendation, the Secretary of State for
Education and Skills will assume responsibility for setting the syllabus in
Isle of Wight community and voluntary controlled schools.
RECOMMENDATION
8.
That the Executive approves the adoption of the new Agreed Syllabus for
Religious Education to take effect in the curriculum of all community and
voluntary controlled schools from 1September 2002.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
1988 Education Act
1993 Education Act
The current Local Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education
DfEE Circular 1/94
Contact point : Keith Simmonds – Senior Inspector - 823405
|
A KAYE Strategic Director Education and
Community Development |
J WAREHAM Portfolio Holder – Education and
LifeLong Learning |