Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet formally adopts the 2023 revised Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Surrey.  

Reasons for Decisions:

There have been a number of changes in curriculum delivery, content and in guidance from the Department of Education since the existing syllabus was adopted in 2017, meaning it was no longer fit for purpose. The revision period has enabled a comprehensive engagement including the adoption of the recommendations from Ofsted in relation to curriculum design, set out as follows:

·         It should be sequenced in such a way that the ‘curriculum is the progression model’ 

·         It should help pupils to make connections across their learning, build strong schemata. 

·         It should set out what it means to get better at RE in substantive, disciplinary and personal knowledge, across ages and stages of development. 

There has been a complete review of the content by qualified teachers and the Advisor to the Surrey SACRE, and the revised syllabus can now be recommended to the Cabinet for teacher training and implementation from September 2023 and first teaching from September 2024.The action being proposed will have benefits for the residents of Surrey in as much as teachers will be able to begin a new academic year by teaching a more relevant RE curriculum that complies with national guidance, prepares young people well for examination courses in RE, and more accurately reflects the values and beliefs of citizens in this country. 

(The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)

The report was introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety who explained that the agreed syllabus for religious education had been agreed by Surrey SACRE. The syllabus had been reviewed by qualified teachers and the advisor to Surrey SACRE. There had been positive changes to the syllabus meaning the new syllabus was more relevant and compliant with good practice in RE teaching across England. The agreed syllabus for RE would be introduced in maintained and voluntary controlled schools from the September 2023 for teacher training and taught from September 2024. The Leader highlighted that there had been wide consultation with the diocese and schools.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet formally adopts the 2023 revised Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Surrey.

Reasons for Decisions:

There have been a number of changes in curriculum delivery, content and in guidance from the Department of Education since the existing syllabus was adopted in 2017, meaning it was no longer fit for purpose. The revision period has enabled a comprehensive engagement including the adoption of the recommendations from Ofsted in relation to curriculum design, set out as follows:

·         It should be sequenced in such a way that the ‘curriculum is the progression model’ 

·         It should help pupils to make connections across their learning, build strong schemata. 

·         It should set out what it means to get better at RE in substantive, disciplinary and personal knowledge, across ages and stages of development. 

There has been a complete review of the content by qualified teachers and the Advisor to the Surrey SACRE, and the revised syllabus can now be recommended to the Cabinet for teacher training and implementation from September 2023 and first teaching from September 2024.The action being proposed will have benefits for the residents of Surrey in as much as teachers will be able to begin a new academic year by teaching a more relevant RE curriculum that complies with national guidance, prepares young people well for examination courses in RE, and more accurately reflects the values and beliefs of citizens in this country. 

(The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children, Families, Lifelong Learning & Culture Select Committee)