Archived decisions

Item 9 Appendix 2

Monitoring RE in Hampshire schools. A position paper.

Strategies employed for evidence gathering of RE in Hampshire schools.

    ¬ A questionnaire was sent to all schools electronically to evaluate the level of compliance with the agreed Syllabus (January 2007). Responses were collated and disseminated to SACRE and schools in Spring 2007.

    ¬ With the agreement of head teachers, RE managers and Heads of RE departments have been asked to provide SACRE with copies of their schools' Self Evaluation of RE. Positive responses to these requests have been in single figures.

    ¬ The county RE team has scheduled two courses providing guidance and support for self evaluation of RE and these have elicited interest from approx. 14 schools and resulted in 7 self evaluation forms being offered to SACRE for scrutiny.

    ¬ RE subject specific Ofsted inspections have been carried out in two Hampshire secondary schools and the reports are available for SACRE to scrutinise.

    ¬ Anecdotal evidence is gathered by the two RE Inspectors during discussions at RE development and steering group meetings attended by RE Managers and HODs.

    ¬ The two RE inspectors are able to make some observations about the RE provision in schools during planning and development visits purchased by schools .

    ¬ A researcher, Katherine Wedell, is currently undertaking a qualitative survey in a sample of Hampshire schools to explore the impact of the agreed syllabus, Living Difference, on pupils' learning in RE. The results of her investigation will be disseminated to schools and inform their improvement plans. A report will be presented to SACRE to inform the review of the Agreed Syllabus 2009/10.

    Strategies employed by other local authorities

    ¬ In another local authority, SACRE members were trained for 1 day to visit schools and make observations and report to SACRE

    ¬ In Redbridge funding has been allocated for the Inspector/ adviser to visit schools to monitor their RE provision and report to SACRE

RECOMMENDATION

A strategy has been suggested which will enable SACRE to be better informed about the RE provision in Hampshire schools. It is proposed that the RE inspectors will offer training to some members of SACRE and visit schools with the SACRE representatives to observe and enquire about the RE provision and report to the Monitoring Sub-Group. Funding has been allocated to support this activity.