Centenary Conference 1999
Introduction
A real-life approach was brought to questions about the nature of RE and the future of the subject at the St Gabriel's Centenary Conference, RE - Essence and Development.
A panel consisting of John Hull, Bob Jackson and Terence Copley, all professors of RE, addressed questions about the aims of RE and its distinctiveness within the curriculum. The audience of 120, including over forty RE teachers, then contributed to a positive discussion about a range of current issues in RE. Of interest were topics such as science and religion, how RE tackles the issue of death and utilitarian views of education. There was also some concern about secular society's fear of the power of religion, and how RE is perceived by the wider public. One teacher described RE as both a mirror, through which pupils can understand themselves and society, and a window, showing an alternative vision.
Prior to the conference, over 250 RE teachers took part in a consultation, giving their views on recent and future developments in RE, and outlining the relationship they wanted between RE, Citizenship and PSHE. Press coverage of the consultation focussed on teachers' fears about Citizenship undermining RE. John Keast, Principal Subject Officer for RE, Citizenship and PSHE at QCA, sought to reassure teachers, saying that QCA envisaged a positive relationship, with each subject having a separate legal identity and a distinctiveness, but also an element of complementarity.
After the conference, Estelle Morris, Minister of State at the DfEE said that RE's position in the curriculum was safe.
The consultation had highlighted the introduction of Short Course GSCEs in RE, new Agreed Syllabuses and Ofsted inspection as the three most significant recent developments in raising the status of RE. Delegates agreed with this. There followed discussions about whether RE should be part of the National Curriculum and about the role of RE post-16 and in Special Educational Needs. Opportunities presented by ICT were discussed, and teachers were urged to make sure they took advantage of training being offered by the government.
The conference ended on a positive note. Several speakers were clear that RE had come of age, and mapped out a confident future. Jeremy Taylor, Chair of the European Forum for Teachers of RE, said that RE in the UK is the envy of the rest of Europe. It is seen as more coherent, sophisticated, vibrant, with better relationships and more effective in grappling with issues of authenticity and truth than anywhere else. He said RE should celebrate its successes.
As a follow-up to the conference, a seminar was held in December looking at practical ways of addressing the conference outcomes. The hope is that this will enable key RE professional bodies to take forward the concerns of teachers.
Documents
Full text of the conference Report in PDF format.
