Andy Drozdziak
A Catholic teacher is calling for greater Government investment after an Ofsted report found “extensive weaknesses” in the teaching of RE nationally.
Ofsted has reported finding “extensive weaknesses” in the teaching of religious education (RE). In its annual report, Ofsted said that in “too many primary and secondary schools”, the teaching of RE was of “a poor quality and not fit for purpose”, adding this was leaving pupils “ill-equipped for some of the complexities of contemporary society”.
Whilst not a judgement or reflection of RE within Catholic schools, many RE teachers in Catholic schools believe more needs to be done to support the subject. The inspectorate also said a “lack of clarity and support from government” was making it harder for schools to teach RE.
RE teacher Andy Lewis, Deputy Head at St Bonaventure’s Secondary school in East London, emphasised the need for greater support from government to ensure better teaching and learning in all schools.
“It should be important that we all recognise the primary and secondary benefits of RE – and campaign to ensure all students nationally get their entitlement to this,” Mr Lewis told the Universe. “The solution clearly lies in part, with DfE funding – RE needs bursaries to attract teachers to the job in hand, and sufficient funding for training to ensure non specialists are able to deliver high quality RE.”
Mr Lewis praised the teaching of RE in Catholic schools. “I think RE in Catholic schools has a clear and documented purpose and systems of support via Dioceses, the CES and resource publishers while the wider RE system that Ofsted are commenting on remains fragmented with competing purposes and ideas of what good RE looks like,” he said.
The Catholic Education Service (CES) refers to RE as ‘the core of the core curriculum’ and Catholic schools dedicate at least 10% of the timetable to the subject. Yet it is not given as high a priority in non-Catholic schools, and is often taught by non-RE specialists. The Ofsted inspectorate reported that pupils are “rarely taught enough substance to prepare them to engage in a complex, multi-religious and multi-secular society”.
“It is unsurprising that Ofsted have found it variable – sometimes it is on the curriculum to simply ensure legal compliance, or as a vehicle for other parts of the curriculum such as PHSE, RSE or Citizenship,” Mr Lewis said.
“It is increasingly taught by non-specialists due to a lack of RE teachers, and often doesn’t receive the same funding and support as other subjects. It is unsurprising the effect is devastating for the subject. However, it should be noted, in schools where support is given, it is well-liked, with high status and is extremely effective.”
The CES confirmed that it ‘is committed to continued working with the Government in support of Catholic education, high-quality RE and increased religious literacy in the Government and the wider public sector.’
“We are happy to share our Catholic approach to ensuring high quality RE to help improve RE teaching as a whole,” CES said.
Picture: CNS photo/Mike Crupi, Catholic Courier