Putting RE into Review
Areas for Development

• Teaching time for RE is sometimes inconsistent. 5% of curriculum time should be dedicated weekly to the subject. This does not include Collective Worship.
• Arrangements to assess pupils' progress in RE within the Primary phase are currently underdeveloped. Schools need to ensure that marking is linked to lesson objectives, enabling pupils to have clear targets for improving their work.
• Transition arrangements between KS1 and 2 lack rigour and should be further developed. Schools could focus on the following issues:
  • Infant & Junior Schools to co-operate on shared scheme of work
  • avoid duplication of common religious themes across classes and phases e.g. Synagogue visit needs careful planning so repetition is avoided
  • allow staff from partner schools to meet and observe each others teaching and the sharing of resources and expertise
  • provide planned opportunities to discuss issues relating to progression and continuity both
• Schools need to continue to develop the role of the RE Co-ordinator in planning monitoring, evaluating & reporting, including liaising with the Governing Body.
• The Co-ordinators would benefit by securing a regular annual budget to purchase relevant resources.
• Teachers need to ensure that RE lessons have a clear religious focus.
• Schools should ensure that they plan for addressing basic skills in the teaching of RE which include:
  • observation
  • enquiry
  • empathy
  • understanding
  • reflection
  • judgement
  • expression
• Similarly there is a need to ensure that the teaching of basic attitudes in RE are planned for e.g:
  • concern
  • curiosity
  • sensitivity
  • integrity
  • appreciation

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