Government responds to Ofsted criticism in RE row

Ofsted warned that Wolverhampton's religious education was not sufficient

The government has said schools are responsible for the delivery of religious education (RE), after Ofsted criticised standards in Wolverhampton.

The education watchdog warned that the city's religious education was not sufficient to prepare young people for adult life in such a diverse and multicultural community.

In its report, Ofsted said the job of schools to teach the complex subject was made harder by "the lack of clarity and support from government".

The Department for Education (DfE) said it "provided support for RE teaching", including offering £10,000 bursaries for trainee teachers.

A DfE spokesperson said: "Religious education is important in developing young people’s understanding of the values of different faiths which is why it remains compulsory for all pupils at state-funded mainstream schools up to the age of 18.

"It is for individual schools to plan, organise and deliver their teaching of RE, which are designed locally to reflect the communities they serve.

“We provide support for RE teaching, including offering a £10,000 bursary for RE trainee teachers, and the Oak National Academy is procuring new materials for RE which will ensure that high-quality lessons can be available nationwide, benefitting both teachers and pupils."

'An afterthought'

Ofsted reported its findings to Wolverhampton's Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).

It was also forwarded to the government to request improved guidelines and clearer expectations about the depth of the RE curriculum and the topics teachers need to focus on as a priority.

The report said: "Although it is a statutory subject, schools often consider RE as an afterthought and under-value it.

"It is a complex subject and the lack of clarity and support from government makes the job of schools even harder.

"Some steer through these challenges well but most do not."

City of Wolverhampton councillor Jacqui Coogan, who sits on the SACRE, said while there was a shortage of RE teachers nationally, Wolverhampton was actively seeking out and training new ones.

“As people living in Wolverhampton know, we have a very effective and proactive multi-faith group here, and they are always willing to support our service’s endeavours with regard to this," she added.

Wolverhampton SACRE is due to discuss the findings of the Ofsted report on 7 February.