SACRE Members to watch a short film with regards to the meaning of ‘Worldviews’’
Minutes:
JDC advised that the Worldviews concept within RE was becoming more influential and that for some, the preference would now be to rename Religious Education to ‘Worldviews Education.’ Debates regarding this were ongoing and it was anticipated that further resources would be produced by the Religious Education Council.
JDC summarised that there were 2 types of Worldviews; personal and organised (this terminology however may change over time). Your organised Worldview comes from an institution, such as Christian or Muslim, for example Worldviews however personal Worldviews were beliefs and hidden assumptions which shape how an individual would see the World. For example a Muslim child could have a different personal Worldview to another Muslim child despite them sharing the same faith.
JDC advised that there had been a number of reports which had concluded that RE had to be amended in order to reflect the World as it is today; Worldviews teaching would include every child and not just those who practised a Faith. However the Government had advised that there were no current plans to change legislation regarding this.
SACRE Members watched the Theosthink-tank video on the meaning ‘Worldviews.’
Thoughts from SACRE Members following the video were as follows:
§ Although it was vital to have such debates, these needed to be in addition to the religious practices that a faith has. Such discussions should be aimed at secondary school pupils who were more mature and are able to appreciate more what is going on around them.
§ It is important for individuals to look at life through their own eyes and whatever view they subscribe to, they must be able to investigate for themselves and not accept a view without questioning it.
§ Worldviews is a more popular term for some as it includes those who are non-religious. Humanism UK had also produced a short document to explain the concept; the link was provided as follows:
https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021-07-05-LD-Non-religious-worldviews.docx
§ Although it was accepted that not everyone had a specific Faith, concern was shared that Worldviews could ‘dilute’ religion. It was highlighted however that by not discussing ‘Worldviews’ then this was somewhat ‘diluting’ the often deeply committed and ethical positions of others who did not have a religion. All agreed that it would be important, should Worldview become more prominent in schools that people with and without Faiths would be respected.
§ Ofsted were using the terminology when undertaking Inspections however the current Agreed Syllabus had been confirmed and therefore there would be no changes to its content in the near future.
§ Reassurance was given that teachers were already showing respect in their schools for those children with and without religions. The important aspect was to ensure that discussions represented a ‘rainbow’ of religious and non-religious views and thoughts.
The Chair thanked SACRE Members for their thoughts. JDC stated that Worldviews was a work in progress and that it was not yet clear in what format this would be brought into the classroom in the long term; it was essential that those with and without Faith on SACRE were comfortable with whatever future advice SACRE gives. The role of SACRE was to ensure that whatever the content/terminology, that once confirmed the committee would make sure that they were happy with it and that teachers had the resources available that were compatible with what needed to be taught. It was anticipated that much more information would be published over the next year; SACRE would need to monitor this.