Archived decisions

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

[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report presents an update on the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus, Living Difference, at the end of phase 1 of its implementation and the beginning of phase 2. It relates to points 1 and 2 of the SACRE Development Plan.

This paper supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (maximising life opportunities) and Aim 4 of the Corporate Strategy (building strong and safe communities).

2. Background

2.1 Phase 1 Implementation of the Agreed Syllabus: September 2004 - April 2006.

Phase 1 of the implementation of the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus has been completed. This has involved setting up four county development groups: 2 secondary and 2 primary to produce the first collection of units of work for inclusion in the Handbooks. The Handbooks were published in April/ May 2006. This was a regrettable delay given the original publication date of December 2005.

During this period 30 Secondary RE departments and 60 Primary Schools were involved in the development groups programme, County and Regional.

31 Secondary Schools, 10 Special Schools and 239 Primary Schools attended an Implementing the Agreed Syllabus Course. This course was delivered 12 times. Evaluations of these deliveries were very positive.

Additionally, the RE Inspectors have been involved with individual schools and groups of schools in supporting the effective delivery of the Agreed Syllabus.


Two videos of places of worship have been produced with accompanying booklets for primary schools relating their use to the methodology for teaching and learning in Living Difference. These can be purchased through the RE Centre. 4 videos of good practice in secondary schools have been produced and have been used for training purposes. These videos are being edited to make them generally available for teachers.


Further support has been provided in terms of advice, planning documents and sharing good practice between schools in the Primary and Secondary RE News publications. A Primary and Secondary edition has been distributed to all schools each term. Planned units of work according to the requirements of Living Difference have also been provided on the County RE website.

2.2 Phase 2 Further development of RE based on the Agreed Syllabus: April 2006-2007

28 secondary, 7 Special and 37 primary schools have subscribed to the regional development group programme for the financial year 2006 -2007. 5 schools are represented on the secondary steering group and 6 schools on the primary steering group.

A questionnaire will be sent to all schools to evaluate the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus on quality and standards of RE. Results will be presented to SACRE after the date given for its return along with comments made by representatives on the development and steering groups.


The RE Newsletters from April 2007 onwards, as with newsletters in other subjects, have been restricted to 2 per phase per year, with a maximum length of 40 pages. This will reduce the support in this format available to schools.

2.3 National interest in the Agreed Syllabus, Living Difference

An affirmative review of Living Difference was published in the British Journal of Religious Education (Appendix 1). RE-Net, a website established by Canterbury Christchurch University to present and promote good practice nationally for ITT providers, now has a section devoted to Living Difference. This includes a video of the County Inspector for RE explaining the methodology for teaching and learning based on conceptual enquiry.

3. Financial Implications

None.

4. Recommendation

That SACRE approves the report and considers whether any action should be taken in response to difficulties in providing and sustaining support materials for schools.

5. Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report or an important 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.

None