Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)
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Weaknesses remain in the teaching of RE in schools

Ofsted’s latest survey on religious education finds that in many of the schools visited RE was no better than satisfactory, and in some cases inadequate, because teachers are unsure about what they are trying to achieve in the subject.

The survey showed that because the curriculum for RE is determined locally, there is wide variability in the quantity and quality of support provided to schools by local authorities and relevant advisory councils.

There were a number of specific concerns about the teaching of religious belief, and many schools visited did not pay sufficient attention to teaching the core beliefs of Christianity.

Despite these weaknesses, the report Transforming religious education says that a major success in the teaching of religious education in both primary and secondary schools is the way it supports the appreciation and understanding of different values by pupils.

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