Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) that sought approval of the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education for use in Coventry schools over the next five years (2017-2022).

A corresponding private report detailing confidential aspects of the proposals was also submitted to the meeting for consideration (Minute 46 below refers).

Local Authorities (LAs) had a statutory duty to set up and maintain a ‘Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education’ whose duties included giving advice to the LA on the Religious Education (RE) given under the Agreed Syllabus, and to monitor the provision and quality of the Education provided by the Agreed RE Syllabus in the Local Authority’s Community Schools (LA maintained schools that did not have a religious character). The Advisory Council comprised four groups of members representing: Christian denominations and other religions, and religious denominations that appropriately reflected the principal religious traditions of the area; the Church of England (Christianity); Teachers’ Associations; Coventry City Councillors and people with particular expertise in the area of Religious Education or represented other groups.

The LA also had a statutory duty to set up and appoint members to an occasional body that was required to review the locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education every five years known as the Agreed Syllabus Conference, which had the same membership as the Advisory Council.

All Community, foundation and voluntary aided or voluntary controlled schools in Coventry without a religious character must teach RE according to the locally Agreed Syllabus adopted by the LA. Academies and schools which had a religious character could also use the locally Agreed Syllabus.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet approves the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education for use in Coventry schools over the next five years (2017-2022).