Non-statutory national exemplar framework for RE in Wales

Local syllabuses and the national framework

In Wales, the national exemplar framework for RE was published in 2008 and is in line with the School Curriculum Review. It may be downloaded as a pdf file here >>

Local authorities, as advised by their SACREs, must adopt a locally agreed syllabus for implementation in their maintained schools and review their locally agreed syllabus every five years. SACREs can adopt or adapt this exemplar framework when implementing their next review.

The exemplar framework contains the following guidance on how learners use ICT in religious education:

• to communicate and share information (using, for example, e-mails and PowerPoint);
• to present information in a variety of formats using word processing and graphics;
• to find and develop information on the internet and other sources including CD-ROMs, etc;
• to support oral presentations and the creation of ideas and strategies to improve the impact of their work.

The legal document for use in Welsh schools remains the locally agreed syllabus, except in voluntary aided or special agreement schools, in which case the RE will be arranged according to the faith tradition indicated in the trust deeds.

The framework may be useful for further promoting RE in your school. Here are six ideas which are based on the English non-statutory framework for RE:

First, use your local syllabus and the national framework to promote the subject within school, with headteachers, senior managers and colleagues.

The framework defines and defends the knowledge, skills and understanding that is the entitlement of every pupil. At the same time, it lends support for locally agreed syllabuses, as the framework is designed to be flexible enough to give syllabus providers 'the scope and creativity to enhance teaching and learning in RE.'

We can therefore say, unequivocally, that RE is an entitlement for all pupils, regardless of their faith or belief and that, without it, they will not receive a balanced education that informs them about the role and significance of religion in the modern world and the important beliefs and values that shape it. In short, their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development will be hindered. In fact, the framework shows how RE contributes to pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, how it promotes citizenship, PSHE and key skills, including thinking skills. Your agreed syllabus may do likewise.

Second, the framework provides the RE leader with a vision and a manifesto for development.

There is plenty in the document to which teachers and their pupils may aspire. Use the statement about attitudes in RE as a basis for this. There is something similar in every agreed syllabus. Simply put - let us aspire to build programmes of study in RE which enable pupils to grow in (a) self-awareness (b) respect for all (c) open-mindedness and (d) appreciation and wonder.

You may also want to put the developing skill of clear thinking alongside these attitudes in your vision, so that pupils are encouraged to make reasoned judgements about what, for example, is worthy of respect and what is not. The framework also shows how RE contributes to pupils' use of language and ICT - this is an area for development in many schools, so could provide helpful pointers. See link above for the short section in the framework on using ICT in RE.

Third, the framework provides ideas to enthuse pupils.

The quotes from children are a good starter - why not put a few on subject literature, on classroom or corridor walls, on an RE brochure or …. Even better, get your own pupils to write their own - once you've got them interested, of course!

Fourth, the framework provides ideas to raise the RE profile with visitors, parents and governors.

RE is a subject for ALL pupils, there should be no need for any parent to opt their child out. The statement on the importance of RE is one which can be used in meetings with different groups of adults, and could be distilled into a series of statements to accompany uplifting or provocative pictures and displayed on posters, on a school website, or as headers on reports or merit messages to parents.

Fifth, the framework could be used as a scaffold to structure learning in RE.

The framework, in line with most recent agreed syllabuses, provides a valuable checklist of knowledge, understanding and skills against which you can consider the effectiveness of your provision. The level descriptors provide a tool for evaluating pupils' learning. The framework sets a useful tone for each key stage. If you read the information on each key stage you will get a good flavour for what pupils will be learning about and doing.

Sixth, test out the level statements for RE in Wales >>

Your agreed syllabus may well be providing you with a clear idea of progression in RE, so you might be reluctant to change to a new version. When comparing with the framework's levels, bear the following points in mind:

1. is there clear progression from one level to the next?
2. is each level statement clear about what pupils must do?
3. what is the RE focus for pupils' learning?