Self-evaluation in religious education

Introduction

What is the purpose of this toolkit?

Religious Education (RE) leaders are strongly advised to use this self-evaluation toolkit which has been prepared with the support of the Culham Institute and the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE). Its purpose is to:

1. support schools in (a) evaluating the provision and quality of its RE, (b) identifying priorities for development and (c) informing the whole-school development plan; and
2. provide local authorities (LAs) with anonymous information that may be used by Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs) to monitor and support RE in their local area.

RE leaders are expected to know how well pupils are doing in the subject. They should be able to:

• briefly analyse what underpins pupils’ achievement;
• summarise strengths and areas for improvement; and
• give examples of actions for improvement arising from their self evaluation.

Legal Requirements

School governors have a legal responsibility, together with headteachers, to ensure that: ‘the school provides teaching of religious education for all learners in accordance with the agreed syllabus (or otherwise, in accordance with relevant prescribed exceptions) and has told parents / carers of the right to withdraw their children.’ (Section C of the new school self-evaluation form).

SACREs

All LAs have a SACRE whose remit includes:

• monitoring the provision and quality of RE taught according to the Agreed Syllabus;
• providing advice and support on the effective teaching of RE.

SACREs cannot support schools effectively if they do not know about provision and standards in their LA. Completing the online self-evaluation will assist schools and SACREs, through the local authority, in knowing how best to support RE in local schools.

Why use this online self-evaluation toolkit?

1. Trials have shown that the online SEF can be completed in about one hour, much quicker than filling in a blank self-evaluation form. We have selected what we believe to be the three most relevant sections of the Ofsted self-evaluation schedule for RE subject leaders and added one section to help SACREs target their support for RE in schools most effectively.
2. This self-evaluation activity is specifically aimed at the subject of RE, but may contribute to the whole school SEF. It should also assist Church of England (CofE) schools in completion of the RE section of their Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools (SIAS) self-evaluation form (SEF), though such schools should consult their diocesan education officers for further information.
3. When the document is complete, there is an option to print out the results to inform your RE development plan. This facility will collect together the judgements in each of the categories, making it easy to identify the areas for development. The print out will include the subject leader’s ideas on what to do to improve RE provision in the school.

How might the evidence and judgements provided in this SEF be used?

1. Subject Leaders / Coordinators might use the information to:
   • monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and learning in RE;
   • prioritise actions for their RE development plan;
   • develop their strategic vision;
   • have meaningful dialogue with the Headteacher / Senior Leadership Team / Governing Body
   • prioritise continuing professional development (CPD) support for themselves and for colleagues through:
     • the LA
     • SACRE
     • school - via an external source
     • cross department training
     • cross school training (e.g., Network Group)
2. Headtachers might use the information to:
   • contribute to the school SEF;
   • check compliance with statutory requirements;
   • identify training needs of staff;
   • assess value for money;
   • demonstrate how RE in the school contributes to the duty to promote community cohesion;
   • demonstrate how RE in the school contributes to pupils’ well-being and personal development (including their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development);
   • identify good practice in teaching and learning.
3. The LA / SACRE might use the information to:
   • assess where support should be targeted;
   • assess value for money;
   • monitor standards of attainment and achievement in RE within the authority;
   • identify and disseminate good practice.

How might be the results of the self-evaluation exercise benefit pupils?

The self-evaluation process aims to ensure that RE:

• engages with pupils’ own experience and builds bridges with different faith communities and world-views.
• helps pupils learn more about themselves from their exploration of different faiths through well structured and purposeful activities;
• helps pupils gain a better understanding of the factors that lead to community cohesion and well-being.
• is enjoyable!

In short, good use of this SEF can be beneficial for all stakeholders in RE; above all the pupils and students themselves.

How should subject leaders use the toolkit?

It is most important that accurate judgements - based on the evidence - are made in each section of this form. This is not an exercise in criticism or blame. Rather the process is intended to provide an honest assessment of the current situation in order that improvement, where needed, can be identified and addressed. Any information gathered externally will not name any individual teacher or school.

Part A of the online tool allows the subject leader to make judgements about the characteristics of RE in their own school, using the recognised Ofsted four-point judgement scale. In doing so they will decide whether or not the ‘best-fit’ judgement for each category is: 1 - outstanding; 2 - good; 3 –- satisfactory; or 4 - inadequate. At the base of each section a record should be made of the evidence used to support this judgement and some brief notes on what future action is required.

Part B requests quantitative and other data about the RE provision and the involvement of staff in CPD, learning outside the classroom and the ways in which RE may be supported in the school.

Go to the online self-evaluation tool >>