To report any further issues requiring attention as part of the review of the Agreed Syllabus.

The Syllabus Conference considered a number of issues as part of the review of the RE Agreed Syllabus.

The Consultation process.

The Syllabus Conference debated options in relation to the level of consultation with schools and concluded that, while more expensive in terms of printing and administrative costs, to ensure early dissemination and to instil a feeling of ownership and inclusiveness, all schools rather than a sample should receive the full draft Syllabus and consultation pack.

Consultation Pack distribution and return

It was suggested that consultation packs be issued at the Secondary School RE Co-ordinators meeting in January 2006.  It was also suggested that the covering letter should suggest that the draft RE Syllabus could be discussed during a school staff meeting.

The consultation pack should include an easy to answer questionnaire to be returned by 31st January, 2006, a draft of which was suggested by the RE Consultant.

Consultation feedback and final draft

Feed back from the consultation to be considered by the Working Party at their meeting scheduled for 8th February.  A final draft RE Agreed Syllabus will be presented to the Agreed Syllabus Conference meeting on 20th March 2006 for consideration and recommendation to the Local Education Authority.

Design and layout of Syllabus

The Syllabus Conference were reminded of the design and layout of the current RE Syllabus.  The Syllabus Conference appreciated that the printing/production costs were currently unknown. However, they expressed a view that the current 4 ring binder was very useful format in that information can be inserted or taken out.

The Syllabus Conference appreciated that the foldout “Programme of Study Overview” at page 43 may course problems with production.  However, the general view was that it should remain as a complete document.  It was further suggested that the “Programme of Study Overview” could also be offered by the LEA to schools as a laminated wall chart.

It was suggested that the LEA should also consider issuing the Agreed Syllabus in Compact Disc format thereby enabling teachers to ‘copy and paste’ sections to their individual work plans.  The Agreed Syllabus should also be available via the Internet.

Use of Photographs/Art work

The use of photographs e.g. pupils at work or visiting a place of worship, should be explored.  While the LEA had a stock of photographs these may have been use in other publications.  It was suggested that schools be invited to submit photographs for consideration.  This invitation should be included in the covering letter in the consultation pack.  Appropriate permissions would need to be sought.

Training for the introduction of the new RE Agreed Syllabus

The Conference were reminded of the training provided for the current Agreed Syllabus and discussed the desirability of training being given in cluster area meetings in school time.  The LEA advised that it could promote the courses in their training newsletter. However, due to the newsletter production timetable the dates and venues would need to be arranged well in advance.

It was agreed that the Working Party on 8th February, 2006, will assemble a programme of Inset training to implement the new Syllabus for confirmation by the Conference at its meeting on 20th March 2006.

Non-Statutory Guidance

The RE Consultant reported that Non-Statutory Guidance would be produced to support the new RE Syllabus.  However, she warned that due to limited time and resources, the guidance may not be as comprehensive as previously issued.

RESOLVED: That the above suggestions in relation to the consultation, production, publication training and issue of Guidance connected with the RE Agreed Syllabus be considered by the LEA and a report on their proposals be made to the March 2006 meeting.