About RE

RE and The Law

The 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA) reinforced the requirements of the 1944 Act for Religious Education while also reflecting the thought and practice that had developed in the intervening years.  RE is, however, in a rather idiosyncratic situation because it is deemed to be part of the Basic curriculum, which is formed of the National Curriculum plus RE.

The aim of the Basic Curriculum, to which all pupils are entitled, is to promote 'the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society.' (ERA Section 1:2).

Local or national?

Unlike the National Curriculum subjects, RE does not have formal prescribed national Attainment Targents but they do exist as guidance as well as Level descriptions (see the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's website www.qca.org.uk). RE remains the responsibility of each Local Education Authority (LEA). However, most LEAs follow national advice and there is a strong movement towards a national curriculum for RE.

For the majority of schools, RE must be taught according to the Agreed Syllabus drawn up by the LEA. All agreed syllabuses 'shall reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principle religions represented in Great Britain' (ERA Section 8:3).

LEAs are required to set up a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) whose duties are to advise the LEA on matters related to RE in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus. The SACRE also convenes an Agreed Syllabus Conference to review and update the Agreed Syllabus every five years.

In Voluntary Aided schools, RE should reflect the religious character of the school. RE is the responsibility of the Governing Body of the school, which will often take advice from the Diocesan Board of Education.