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Background

In Wales (as in England) Religious Education (RE) is not part of the National Curriculum, but is part of the basic curriculum for all registered pupils and is a statutory entitlement for pupils who are aged 5-19.

The RE (and collective worship) that takes place in maintained schools in Wales is decided by each Local Education Authority (through its SACRE- Standing Advisory Council for RE ). Since 1993 ACCAC (The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales- an Assembly Sponsored Public Body (ASPB) has been monitoring the work of SACREs through its Review of SACREs and supporting the work of SACREs through it’s Guidance documents. In 2001 ACCAC produced the first National Exemplar Framework for RE in Wales and this was followed by Optional Assessment Materials for RE in 2004 which provided pupils’ work to exemplify standards and suggested ways in which fundamental questions, beliefs, teachings and practice(s) and personal responses could be successfully interrelated to support teachers’ assessments in schools.

The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority Wales (ACCAC) merged into the Welsh Assembly Government in May 2006 with additional functions and responsibilities and is now part of the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS)

Developments in Wales- National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales

Since 2004 ACCAC (now part of DCELLS) has been undertaking a review of the school curriculum. The aims of the school curriculum review are to adopt a skills based approach to engage and motivate all learners to make subjects relevant for the 21st century and to ensure continuity, progression and effective transition from the Foundation Phase (3-7 year olds) up to and including post 16 learners.

As part of this review DCELLS has developed a National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales. The final version can be downloaded

Skills based approach in Religious Education

The National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3-19 year olds in Wales, in line with the review of the school curriculum, uses a skills based approach for religious education. For children at the Foundation Phase appropriate skills from the Foundation Phase Framework have been adapted for the RE Framework. For pupils from Key Stage 2 to Post 16 the core skills are: Engaging with fundamental questions; Exploring beliefs, teachings and practice(s); and expressing personal responses. These skills relate directly to the National Exemplar Level Descriptions for Religious Education.

Engaging and motivating Learners in Religious Education for the 21st century

In trying to ensure that the religious education on offer for the 21st century is engaging and motivating the development group came to the conclusion that pupils become most animated when they are engaged with fundamental questions and so Engaging with Fundamental Questions became one of the three core skills for pupils from Key Stage 2 to post 16. The questions chosen for study might be profound, challenging and sometimes controversial. They should, however, always be informed by religious beliefs, teachings and practice and pupils’ personal responses, and where appropriate by a range of other sources, such as the scientific, legal, political etc.

The Range of study at the Foundation Phase is defined around the context of People, Beliefs and Questions and from Key Stages 2 to Post 16 the Range consists of a number of side headings organised around The World, Human Experience and Search for Meaning. These are intended to provide challenge to motive all learners by dealing with the Welsh Assembly Government’s cross cutting themes such as moral and spiritual development, health and emotional well being, equal opportunities, active citizenship, sustainable development and global citizenship, and preparing for lifelong learning.

Ensuring continuity, progression and effective transition from the Foundation Phase to post 16

The National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales provides guidance and programmes of study for pupils from three years old to 19 years olds.

The Framework provides Outcomes (which are pre level 1 and are to be used for Foundation Phase and additional needs learners) and National Exemplar Level Descriptions to support assessment. The Level Descriptions use the skills identified in the Programmes of Study to show progression from level 1 through to exceptional performance. The skills identified for each level relate to the skills associated with engaging with fundamental questions; exploring beliefs, teachings and practice(s); and expressing personal responses plus a communication requirement which relates to every aspect of study.

Support from SACREs and WASACRE

An initial draft of the National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales was used as the basis of the WASACRE/ DELLS conference held at Llandrindod Wells in May 2006 at which Jane Davidson, Minister for Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills was the keynote speaker.

The National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales will be used by SACREs to inform their five yearly agreed syllabus review. There is a commitment within all the SACREs in Wales that they will use the DCELLS Framework as a basis on which they will adopt or adapt their locally agreed syllabus. This would mean greater commonality and agreed standards across Wales.

Additional Support for the National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3- 19 year olds in Wales

In addition to the National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education DCELLS is:

For more information about the work that is being undertaking for RE at DCELLS please contact Denize Morris on 02920 375415 denize.morris@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Denise Morris - February 2008

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