JDC gave an Ofsted update presentation titled ‘Deep and meaningful? Religious Education subject report’ following the publication of the report published in April 2024. A copy of the presentation would be shared with the minutes.

ACTION: HGS

JDC advised that the report had been discussed in depth with Subject Leaders across the 2024 summer term. The content of the report had not been of significant surprise, as the HMCI annual report in 2023 had shared some concerns about the teaching of RE. It was highlighted that Ofsted had also shared concerns about other subject areas.

Questions and discussion as a result of the presentation were as follows:

§  The sample of schools used during the research for the report was very small, although a full range of types of school had been used.

§  It was suggested by a SACRE Member, that with the National Curriculum, there was not enough time to teach RE in depth. JDC explained that it was important to get the balance right. Schools could evidence that they were teaching enough of the substantive knowledge, so pupils understand world views and the world of religion, but some elements had to be left out, so that there was time for more in depth discussion. It was hoped, therefore, that pupils had the skills to help them to understand other beliefs. It was also highlighted that RE was not part of the National Curriculum; teachers followed the local Agreed Syllabus. However discussion was ongoing regarding a national content standard curriculum. JDC stressed that the local Agreed Syllabus, agreed by SACRE, did allow for breadth and depth of learning. The syllabus contained units of learning, from EYFS to KS4, however these were just suggestions.

§  A SACRE Member highlighted that that report did not discuss the benefit of people from different faiths going into schools; the opportunity to do so had reduced over the years and although some schools welcomed this interaction, some showed no interest. It was agreed that hearing directly from visitors from different faiths would supplement pupils’ learning. It was however acknowledged that the purpose of the report had been more about how RE was taught and valued in schools as a subject, and that high quality RE would of course include such visitors under the ‘ways of knowing’ element.

§  A SACRE Member reflected what the outcomes would have been if the questions asked of the small sample of schools, had been asked of schools within Havering. JDC responded that when RE Subject Leaders had experienced ‘deep dives’ the Ofsted feedback had been largely positive. It was noted that the report did also capture areas where RE teaching was working well, and that every subject would have strengths and weaknesses.

§  It was questioned if the teachers of RE were better suited to have a neutral stance with regards to faith. JDC explained that teachers had to be able to teach about a number of religious and non-religious world views such as humanism and atheism also.

§  It was further questioned whether, to provide the broad and balanced curriculum, fewer religions should be covered to allow more time for discuss and reflection. To a certain extent, RE Subject Leaders had discretion, however the curriculum should be inclusive, so significant religious communities within the local area should be included.

§  SACRE Members discussed religious festivals, and agreed that pupils’ learning should include wider events across a number of faiths. The example was given of celebrating Harvest Festival as there was also Shavuot, the Jewish Harvest Festival.