Religious education syllabuses, other than for voluntary aided schools with a religious designation, are drawn up by an agreed syllabus conference which advises each separate local authority. To assist in drawing up these syllabuses the Department, with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), has published a non-statutory framework for religious education which has been supported by all the main faith groups and the British Humanist Association. It says that pupils should learn about Christianity throughout each key stage though, by the end of key stage 3, pupils should have encountered all five principal religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism) in sufficient depth. It also recommends that all pupils have opportunities to study other religious traditions such as the Baha'i faith, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and secular philosophies such as humanism. It can be obtained from the QCA website at
www.qca.org.uk.
In addition, the Government is investing £1 million in an RE action plan to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the subject. Key areas for the action plan include updating existing guidance on RE, reviewing materials used in schools to teach world religions and their contribution to promoting community cohesion, supporting the work of the RE subject association (the National Association of Teachers of RE), and increasing the involvement of minority faith groups in local Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education by rolling out a national programme of recruitment and training.
The plan is being implemented with full involvement and in full consultation with faith and belief communities and the RE professional community.