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New Year message from
the REC chair
There's much to rejoice over during the year past regarding
RE, especially student achievement, teacher job satisfaction and the abundance
of good practice. There's also much
about which to be anxious, as the economies of the new government and any
impact its educational policies may have on RE.
Response from Secretary of State to REC letter regarding RE in the
Importance of Teaching White Paper
The Minister Nick Gibb has re-iterated government assurance
that the statutory position of RE in all schools will be maintained. Discussion
of any of the specific uncertainties which the REC and member organisations
have identified is promised in an imminent REC officers meeting with him.
National Celebration of RE in March
Events already in place for this month-long celebration
continue to multiply, as can be seen from the website: www.celebratingre.org . A high profile launch at Westminster is planned for March 1st along
with a succession of other large and smaller scale events all over England and
Wales throughout the month. There's still opportunity for more to be arranged
by individual schools, colleges, community centres, places of worship and
SACREs. Competition entries are coming in. Please encourage participation of all kinds whether
at local, regional or national level.
PR campaign with MPs and Lords
Other consciousness raising regarding RE is under way,
spearheaded by the REC public relations sub group working with 3:nine
Communications, a PR company. It is presently focussed on MPs and members of
the House of Lords and includes meetings with individuals from both Houses,
parliamentary questions and early day motions, and invitation seminars. Away
from Westminster, there is still scope for invitations to be sent to local MPs
,lords, local dignitaries and elected members of local councils to be present at any of the events during the
Celebration month.
REsilience
The roll out of the REsilience programme to schools started
slowly because of limits put on direct advertising of government funded
activities; however, schools are now enrolling in greater numbers. Arrangements for mentor visits to schools are
now under way throughout both England and Wales. It is not too late for other
secondary schools and academies to sign up by following the procedures on the
website: www.re-silience.org.uk.
Honouring John Keast
Amongst those listed for a New Year's Honour is John Keast.
John is presently the REC Partnership Officer and is honoured with an OBE. This
is for his long service with and for the RE community as classroom teacher,
local authority adviser, QCA professional officer and latterly DfES national
adviser for RE. Amongst his many distinguished contributions are his part in
the development of the National Framework
for RE and of the Council of Europe reference book on Religious Diversity and Intercultural Education. The REC officers
and board congratulate John and look forward to his continuing involvement with
RE and the REC for many years to come.
Re-location from London Bridge to Old Bailey
The novelty, for the first time in its history, of the RE
Council having a working office base for the last two years has been the more
enjoyable because of its Thames-side location at 1 London Bridge. Unhappily,
the termination of the lease to Community Action Network of Third Sector
organisations has required them all to relocate. The REC is now temporarily
installed at the Voluntary Charities
Centre, Hillgate House, 26 Old Bailey, LONDON EC4M 7HQ. Happily REC administrator Naomi Dalton is
there with the new phone number of 0207
332 2654.
A final request
Gratitude, generosity and hopefulness are each qualities
that are intrinsic to the religious beliefs and world views shared by the REC's
member organisations. They are also intrinsic to good education. Let's continue
to work together in ways that will enhance their realisation at every level.
Brian Gates |
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