Archived decisions
Appendix 1
Communication sent to NASACRE, Ofsted and AREIAC
I am writing to you on behalf of the chair of Hampshire SACRE with an enquiry. On the SACRE agenda in November we have an item about schools' compliance with collective worship and RE at Key stage 4. SACRE members are aware that there is ongoing debate about both these issues. The news some while ago was that there was not likely to be an imminent review of the primary legislation for collective worship, for RE at KS4 or for revision of Circular 1/94. However, there have now been a change of government ministers . Does Ofsted/NASACRE/AREIAC think there might now be an opportunity to draw government ministers' attention to the legislation regarding collective worship and KS4 RE? The chair of Hampshire SACRE would be very grateful for your response on these issues to report to the next SACRE meeting in November. We look forward to hearing from you.
Response from the chair of NASACRE concerning legislation for KS4 RE and Collective worship.
Brian Gates, the chair of the RE Council, has met the minister, Jim Knight, on one occasion to start a conversation about the proposed National Strategy for RE. Another meeting is expected but no news has yet emerged.
We will be delighted to consider how these issues might be addressed and I will certainly share your concerns with the remainder of the NASACRE Executive in October when we meet.
Response from Ofsted
Jim Knight is likely to put proposals to Ed Balls in terms of a response to the Ofsted Long Report and the REC National Strategy in early October. It would be realistic to think in terms of a revision to 1/94 rather than legislation .
Response from AREIAC
The new person at the DCSF, Sarah McLean, was very keen to discuss the withdrawal clause at the annual AREIAC Conference - it is causing them considerable difficulties - and I have since written to her to say that we would be keen to support a review of guidance/legislation on that matter.
The recent Ofsted report raised the question of compulsory RE at post-16 but not before.
The proposed National Strategy as well as 'Making Sense of religion' call for an independent review of existing legislation.
I think the question of Collective Worship is probably on the back burner while conversations about the National Strategy are taking place - but it can't be left there for too long.
The Executive of AREIAC have decided to do a survey of members to try to gauge opinion on some of these difficult questions. In brief, it's all under discussion and we will try to identify the majority view within AREIAC before we press for specific changes.