Archived decisions

Contact: Clive Erricker - County Inspector - RE (02392 441459)

1. Summary

1.1 This report presents Ofsted findings on religious education in 2004-5

1.2 This paper supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (maximising life opportunities) through the improvement of curriculum provision in religious education.

2. Background

2.1 The attached appendices summarise the findings of OFSTED inspections in relation to Religious Education in Hampshire schools in 2004-5.

2.2 The OFSTED inspection framework changed in January 2000 and this had an impact on the data available. In particular, schools that have a consistent profile of good performance now receive a `short' OFSTED inspection that does not include a detailed analysis of individual subjects. Therefore, we do not have OFSTED data on the quality and provision of Religious Education in schools that are given a `short ` inspection. Since these schools tend to be those with the better overall performance this may have some impact on the statistics about Religious Education. 47 schools were inspected on the quality of provision in RE in 2004-5 compared to 46 in 2003-4.

2.3 In 2005-6 a new framework for Ofsted inspection will not provide the same detailed reports on specific subjects. As a result, Ofsted are suggesting that local SACREs provide their own means for monitoring the standards and quality of RE in their schools.

2.4 Over the past year the SACRE Monitoring Sub-Group has met on two occasions. The members of the sub-group have examined the detail of all the secondary, special and primary phase school reports. Schools that have received highly positive reports have been sent a letter of commendation. Schools about which there are concerns in relation to Religious Education are being followed up by either the County Religious Education Team or the relevant attached inspector.

2.5 The appendices include:

Appendix 1: RE in Primary Phase Schools

Appendix 2: RE in Secondary Schools

Appendix 3: RE in Special Schools

Recommendations

1. That SACRE consider and note the report

2. That SACRE consider how it can provide a system for monitoring the future standards and quality of provision for RE in schools

Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an informal part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

3. OFSTED inspection reports on Hampshire schools.