Opportunity for RE? A Possible Vision of the Future for Religious Education Structures in England, Drawing on the Implications of Education for All, the UK Government's 2022 Education White Paper

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12

Futures (of Society); Religious Education; Curriculum Development; Trust (Psychology); School Districts; Administrative Organization; Foreign Countries; Teaching Methods; Educational Change; Educational Policy; Elementary Secondary Education; Policy Analysis; Advisory Committees; Teacher Effectiveness

10.1080/13617672.2022.2147291

1361-7672
1469-9362

This paper critically examines the White Paper, "Opportunity for all," published by the UK Government's Department for Education (DfE) in March 2022. This has a number of recommendations for schools in an attempt to 'level up'. In particular, there is a promise to deliver 'a fully trust-led system with a single regulatory approach [and] a clear role for every part of the school system'. Such a system provides a serious challenge to the way that Religious Education (RE) structures in England are currently built: in short, when Local Authorities no longer have schools under their control -- what is the point of a SACRE? Arguing that the 'local settlement' for RE serves two purposes -- a curricular purpose and support and monitoring purpose -- this paper will suggest that future RE curricula will be planned at the Trust level, with the monitoring and support functions being moved from the local to the regional.

As Provided

2023

EJ1394468