DIOCESE OF ST ALBANS

Schools Team 

Working for Church Schools

Frequently asked questions

Do Voluntary Aided Schools have to follow the Local Authority Agreed Syllabus?

No.  The Religious Education (RE) in Voluntary Aided (VA) Schools must be in accordance with the Trust Deed of the school, which normally says it must be in line with the teachings of the Church of England.  This gives staff and governors the chance to draw up a programme of RE which draws on the Diocesan guidance documents, the LEA Agreed Syllabus and any other legitimate source.

Should religions other than Christianity be taught in Voluntary Aided Schools?

The decision on this rests with the Governors.  The recommendation of the Diocesan Director of Education and the Diocesan RE Adviser is that 66% of time be spent on studying Christianity.  This is the guidance of the National Society, the Church of England’s national body which supports schools.  We also recommend that other world religions are studied.  The choice of which religions are studied is best left up to the school, bearing in mind local conditions and teacher knowledge.  VA Schools do not have to study all the religions which Community and VC Schools have to follow, but can pick those they think most appropriate.

Do Voluntary Controlled Schools have to follow the Local Authority Agreed Syllabus?

Yes, they must follow the LEA Syllabus.  The only exception to this is that parents can request denominational RE teaching according to Diocesan guidance in addition to Agreed Syllabus RE where there are specially designated “Reserved Teachers”.  This happens in a very few schools in the Country. 

Who inspects Religious Education in a Church School?

In a VA School, RE is inspected by the SIAS Inspector (formerly Section 23).  In a VC School, RE is inspected by the Osted team.

How much time should be spent on Religious Education?

The Diocesan Officers recommend that 5% of curriculum time be spent on Religious Education.  This is the figure recommended in the Dearing Report and by many LEA Agreed Syllabuses.

What is Collective Worship?

You could write a book on this topic, but briefly it is the correct term for what might be called the “religious bit” of assembly.  For example, the hymn, prayer, story and moral are together Collective Worship, the litter-moan plus the football and netball results are not.  For Collective Worship to take place you must convince the Section 23 Inspector that real worship is taking place.  For further clarification ring Jane Chipperton on 01727 818175.

Can you “do” RE in assembly?

The legal answer to this question is no, for RE is part of curriculum time and collective worship- along with breaks and marking the register - is not.  It is good practice to have links between the two, but don’t try asking either a Section 23 Inspector or an Ofsted Inspector this question!

What is the Basic Curriculum?

The Basic Curriculum is Religious Education plus the National Curriculum, ie, the compulsory part of the curriculum.

Can parents withdraw their children from Religious Education and Collective Worship in Church Schools?

Yes.  In both VA and VC Schools this is the case.  This goes back to the days when Free Church parents did not wish their children to receive Anglican instruction in state funded schools.

What support does the Diocese offer for Religious Education and Collective Worship?

Board of Education

E-mail: schools@stalbans.anglican.org 

Tel:  01727 818170;  Fax: 01727 844469

Schools Team, Diocesan Office, Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans  AL1 1HE

Last modified: Friday, 24 February 2006