The OFSTED long report, 2010. Transforming Religious Education is now available.

Key findings in the report are

(a) Some key questions raised are

• 1. Are current statutory arrangements for Local determination effective?
• 2. Is there clarity about what constitutes learning?
• 3. How can pupil progress be measured?
• 4. Is the provision for CPD adequate?

(b) Quality in primary (94 schools visited) is roughly the same as 2007 – teachers lack the confidence to plan and teach high quality lessons.

(c) Quality in secondary schools (89 schools visited) was worse than in 2007. Proportion where RE inadequate was significantly higher. New Secondary Curriculum had impacted on RE (negative effect in 1/3 of schools visited esp. in Y7, weakness in the quality of learning in much provison for SC GCSE

(d) Areas of uncertainly about the purpose of the subject make planning for progression, teaching and assessing difficult

(e) Weaknesses in understanding the core concepts and beliefs of Christianity

(f) Positives are

• 1. The rise in GCSE and AS/A2 numbers
• 2. GCSE grades rising
• 3. Attitudes in schools were RE was good is very positive

(g) Work is needed to develop and clarify the place and use of concepts and to define progression in learning. A stronger role for the place of enquiry to aid some of these issues.

(h) Major success is in the way RE promotes Community Cohesion, understand diversity and develop respect for difference. Scope to develop this with the inclusion of local groups and to ensure more focus on the religion and belief in the contemporary world.

Where RE is good at KS3 [para 19ff]

• Sophisticated use is made of interpretation, investigation, analysis and evaluation when making enquiries into religion and belief
• When students are able to offer their own ideas and engage with significant issues
• When students are encouraged to think for themselves and challenge each other
• When students were encouraged to use a variety of media

Where RE was poor at KS3 [parap 21ff]

• No focus on the Higher Order Thinking Skills [HOTS]
• Too much work was descriptive or recalling and recounting
• Oral work does not include structured or systematic discussion

Fasting to Remember: described as: 'an initiative aimed at uniting people of different faiths and backgrounds through a National Day of Fasting to raise money for charity. It is an effort to show that diverse communities can get together in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and for a good cause. Pupils, teachers, head teachers and the whole school community are invited to join in the fast and raise money for charity. All the money raised will benefit charitable causes'.

It's headed by Khadija Elshayyal (khad21@yahoo.com) The text of the letter aimed at schools can be downloaded. If you any queries please feel free to contact either myself or Khadija. The Fasting to Remember Project is separate from Islam Awareness Week and will occur in Ramadan - 1 month before IAW is due to begin.

Changes at the Jewish Museum: You might find this useful if you are working in the London area or within striking distance of London. The letter is about changes to the museum in Camden.

A New book from the Jain Community: This book is published by the institute of Jainism. For an image of the book - click here. For some information - click here.
For more details see the website at www.jainology.com