Last updated: 28 Oct 2004

Clarke launches first national framework for religious education

Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke today launched the first non-statutory national framework to support the delivery of high quality religious education (RE) in schools.

The framework has been developed by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in partnership with the Department for Education and Skills; the major UK faith and belief communities; and RE professional groups following 18 months of consultation with them. It endorses the entitlement to RE for all pupils - irrespective of where they live, their social background, culture, race, religion and gender.

The framework sets out the national expectations for teaching and learning in RE to help ensure all children benefit from consistently high quality RE teaching. It provides guidance on how RE can be taught so that pupils not only learn about religion but learn from it. It sets out ways that children can develop their knowledge, understanding and skills and suggests levels of attainment that they should achieve.

Good quality RE actively contributes to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We have recently seen rising levels of popularity of RE at GCSE and A level. This framework will help us to build on this trend and have a positive impact on the teaching of RE in schools.

Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke said:

"There is a legal requirement for all schools to teach religious education. I want to ensure that standards are consistently high so that every pupil benefits. That's why this framework is so important."

"The framework is the starting place for considered and informed learning opportunities. Children have a right, and indeed, should expect to be told about what is important to their friends who may hold different beliefs to their own."

"Faith groups must seize this opportunity to develop their own resources that enhance understanding of their faith, and their response to world issues. I support the development of materials that can be used with the framework."

"Religious education can transform pupils' assessment of themselves and others, and their understanding of the wider world. I see it as vital in widening inclusion, understanding diversity and promoting tolerance."

"Last year, following consultation with key stakeholders, I asked the QCA to look at how this could be achieved and I am delighted to be launching this framework. I know that all the major faith and belief groups and the RE community are supportive of the framework and I would like to thank them for their invaluable contribution throughout its development."

QCA Chief Executive Ken Boston said:

"Religious education has a vital role to play in providing pupils with a range of experiences that enable them to develop a realistic and positive sense of their own beliefs and ideas."

"The QCA is committed to supporting the delivery of high quality RE and urges LEAs and SACREs to use this guidance creatively to broaden and enrich pupils' learning of RE. I would like to congratulate the representatives of all the diverse faith communities and subject associations who worked together to achieve unity in diversity and helped to draw up this important guidance."

The framework was published today and can be seen on 'The non-statutory national framework for religious education.'

Notes to editors

This Press Notice applies to England.

1. RE is a component of the basic curriculum to be taught, alongside the National Curriculum, in maintained schools to all registered pupils unless they have been withdrawn by their parents. It must be taught according to a locally agreed syllabus except in voluntary aided schools with a religious character. Each LEA must convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) to produce a syllabus that sets out what local pupils should be taught. The Education Act 1996 states that an agreed syllabus must reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are mainly Christian, whilst taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in the country.
2. Christianity is central to the framework which also builds on existing best practice about what other religions and non-religious belief systems to teach about and how.
3. The national non-statutory framework has been developed by QCA in partnership with the Department for Education and Skills. It is intended to support those with a responsibility for the provision of religious education in maintained schools. All the major UK faith and belief communities and professional groups were involved in its development. There is a complete list of these on the inside cover of the framework.
4. The framework is primarily aimed at local decision makers who have a responsibility for provision within maintained schools in England, such as local education authorities (LEAs), Agreed Syllabus Conferences (ASCs) and Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs).
5. The framework sets out national standards national expectations to help promote more consistently high standards in RE teaching. It sets attainment targets for learning and determines how performance should be assessed and reported to develop a clear and shared understanding of the knowledge and skills that young people will gain at school.
6. QCA carried out a feasibility report in March 2002 recommending development of a framework. This is available on the QCA website. After consultation with key stakeholders, the Secretary of State asked QCA to begin the development of a framework in October 2003. An initial draft was put out for consultation between April and July 2004 and is also available on the QCA website.
7. The number of students gaining a GCSE qualification in Religious Studies has risen significantly, up 6.6% from 132,304 in 2003 to 141,037 in 2004. This mirrors the trend at A level (up 13.8%).
8. Copies of the framework have been sent to every LEA and ITT training college. Hard copies can be obtained from QCA (08700 60 60 15) or downloaded from this site
9. QCA contacts for further information:
   
   Media relations
   020 7509 6789
   07798 924552 (outside office hours)