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On this page: Issues for Church schools | Guidance | Challenging areas | The law | FAQs | Resources
These are, mainly, to ensure the law is obeyed and that the quality of RE and the curriculum time available to it is appropriate.
Governors should ensure, in every Church school of whatever type, that RE is well supported and resourced in the school. Governors in voluntary aided schools should ensure there is an RE syllabus and it is reviewed regularly and implemented effectively.
Guidance on the responsibility of the governing body to secure religious education in any school can be found in the Department for Education Circular 1/94, in particular: paragraphs 17-23.
Diocesan officers will offer support and guidance to all Church schools. They will often work closely with the LEA RE officer in voluntary controlled and foundation schools.
These can be avoided if RE has a link governor who can confidently represent the concerns of RE in the governing body.
The foundation governors are required to ensure that the foundation of the school is maintained.
The law regarding the responsibility of the governing body to secure religious education in any school is contained in the Education Act 1996, Part V, Chapter 3, sections 376-384. It is also found in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, Part II, Chapter 6 section 69 and Schedule 19 of the same Act.
Can the governors tell the school what RE to teach?
As long as it is in accord with the foundation and religious character of the school. Governors do need to be aware that the distance between telling someone to do something and them doing it can be quite wide. Governors do need, therefore, to be aware of the skills, experience and expertise of their staff and make appropriate appointments when the opportunity arises.
Who appoints the section 23 inspector?
The governing body as a whole, even in voluntary controlled and foundation schools where it is the responsibility of the foundation governors to find a fit and appropriate person. For further details on section 23 inspections, visit the Inspection section of this web site.
Governing and Managing Church Schools, 2nd edition, D. W. Lankshear, National Society, January 2003, 071514992x. For further information or to order a copy, see the Church House Publishing web site.
The National Society' s Inspection Handbook, National Society, June 2000, ISBN: 0715149547. For further information or to order a copy, see the Church House Publishing web site.
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