The academic year was firmly kick-started with the EFTRE conference in Edinburgh. For the many Scottish teachers attending this was an inspirational and informative event. This conference extended understanding of RE in Europe and as a result Scottish teachers were better able to understand and reflect upon RE in Scotland. But how did the year continue?

One of the major documents to land upon the classroom teacher's desk was the Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) report on Standards and Qualities in Religious and Moral Education in schools. This report spanned inspections of RE departments in the secondary sector over a period of five years. Strengths were found in the certificate courses, our relationships with our pupils, the commitment of teachers and leadership of heads of department. Areas for improvement included; the better planning of courses to enable pupils to reflect upon and develop a deeper understanding of religious and moral concepts, an increase in pacing and higher expectations of the pupils and the appropriate provision of time, staff and resources for good RE. Many staff find the inspection process a gruelling experience but the report offered a real opportunity for teachers and management to reflect on what is good RE pedagogy and course construction and how, as ever, we should progress.

Within the whole of Scottish education many individuals and groups were involved in a National Debate on Education organised by the Executive of the Scottish Parliament This was an opportunity for everyone with an interest in education to respond to a range of questions on the purpose and structure of education in the future. RE teachers responded individually and collectively in order to ensure that RE remained firmly in place in the curriculum for all pupils at all levels. Fortunately this process was aided by the healthy diversity of Scottish organisations which provide practitioners and interested parties opportunities to discuss and debate RE.

The Religious Education Movement in Scotland (REMS) continues to thrive after the EFTRE conference. Attached is a report of this compiled by the E. Europe group chair, Alasdair Morton. The E. Europe group is embarking on developing a teacher partnership arrangement between Scottish and E. European RE teachers. REMS itself has found new office premises and has confirmed funding from Christian Education. It continues its work in many areas towards the development and promotion of RE including Education for Mutual Understanding .EMU has provided anti - racist drama workshops in Scottish schools and is planning to develop a project on drama and storytelling.

ATRES ­ the Association of Teachers of Religious Education held an extremely successful conference on "Personal Search" in May 2002. Personal Search is one of the attainment targets in our 5-14 course. It covers the areas of the natural world, relationships and moral values and ultimate questions. The conference allowed a variety of pedagogy and material to be explored.

RE and citizenship, although still in the early stages compared to our English counterparts, continues to loom on the horizon. It is clear that some of the work in RE will cover citizenship. The Values Education Council (UK) whose membership includes REMS, and representatives from faith communities are particularly interested in education for citizenship and the role that religious educationalists might play in the development of curriculum and community activities. Its annual conference will be held in Bristol this year on the subject of Sustainable Learning. (details available)

RE and IT in Scotland is developing at a pace. Many schools across the country have been refurbished through Private Public Partnership money and this has included a complete upgrading of all IT. AS a result of this staff and pupils are able to access IT and use it far more effectively than ever before. Many of the island schools in Scotland have, by force of circumstance, developed excellent learning networks and this good practise is becoming more commonplace.

With regard to external national qualifications (15+years) the uptake and performance appears relatively stable.

Analysis of Results & Uptake ­ 2002 Pre-appeal data
Religious Studies and Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (2001 uptake figures in italics)
Full Course

Short Course

In conclusion, although RE is solidly ensconced in the Scottish curriculum, it has not necessarily always flourished. It is important to continue to make RE relevant, stimulating and rewarding for our teachers, pupils and maybe parents too!

C.M.Sinclair September 2002

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