There is a statutory requirement laid upon schools to provide a basic curriculum. This consists of the national curriculum and the locally agreed syllabus of Religious Education
The statutory requirement entitles all pupils in Birmingham, irrespective of social background, culture, race, religion, gender or differences in ability or disabilities, to a programme of teaching and learning in religious education.
In Community Schools or in Foundation Schools not designated as religious, this will be in accordance to the Agreed Syllabus set out below. The Agreed Syllabus is designed to conform to legislation which states that:
- ‘Any agreed syllabus (of religious education) shall reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian.’
- Should take ‘account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain’.
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In order to achieve educational progression (and to comply with the above statute) the Agreed Syllabus indicates where it is strongly advised that selected Christian content can be appropriately taught.
It is a legal duty of Birmingham's Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE - a statutory body) to offer advice to the Local Authority on the training, guidance and support which should be offered to teachers to help them deliver this Syllabus in the classroom.
Further clarification on the interpretation and use of the Agreed Syllabus (together with its additional and supporting non-statutory material) may, therefore, be sought from this body. It will be a function of SACRE to maintain a proper oversight of the development and maintenance of this, supporting, Religious Education website for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus. |