The Nature of the Strategy

Three key principles underpin the proposal:

1) There is a deficit to be addressed. RE has been the Cinderella subject for a long time. At secondary level it remains the subject with the highest percentage of lessons taught by non-specialists and at primary level the majority of classroom teachers feel insecure when teaching RE, partly because it was not given adequate provision in their training course (see Ofsted reports). Senior management often fails to acknowledge its premier league position as Basic Curriculum, and as more fundamental for schools even than NC Subjects. In consequence, RE is effectively demoted to a third division status and resourced accordingly.

2) There is no quick fix and no one particular action which will make all the difference. There needs to be a coherent strategy, inter-relating a number of complementary actions which together should have a multiplier effect.

3) The strategy should be rooted in the NFRE.

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