to be outraged that RE is a compulsory subject at GCSE level and History or a language aren't?

[seeker]

Well am I? I thought it was just my dd's very old fashioned school that insisted they study RE even if they aren't doing the exam, but I find out that it's a statutory requirement. So they can drop Modern Languages, History, Citizenship......but they have to do RE. And religious people say that thier faith doesn't impose on my life at all.

ANd I undersstand that it consits of reallly intersting discussion about issues of the day, and is really all about morality and philosophy and is mportant stuff, but why call it RE?

scaryteacher - should have pointed out that my children are small!

There are worse things than having to study RE.If that is your only quibble with the school then you are fortunate indeed.

It's not a quibble with the school. The school is only doing its statutory duty. It is a serious objection to the education system in this country. It is ridiculous that children should have 11 years of compulsory RE. Just ridiculous!

why is it ridiculous? Would you be so worried if History was complusary - as you would be only getting a small section and from one perspective and not alway a good perspective.

StewieGriffinsMom, I would appreciate if you could let me know where your information comes from on compulsory subjects in Scotland. I had someone check with the government about this issue not all that long ago and the government responded that the ONLY subject required to be taught be law was RE, which is contradictory to the information you have received.

To the person that was posting about independent schools in Scotland, I think it must be the case that they have some flexibility over their own curriculum, as there are some that study English qualifications rather than Scottish ones, and others that will not be adopting the new curriculum for excellence until a few years down the line when they can be convinced of its benefits.

TQ - one of the most inspiring RE teachers I ever worked with was a Pagan, and one I trained with was as well. We teach the six main religions, but there is space in KS3, if the Locally Agreed Syllabus allows (read thread for an explanation of how this works with the SACREs) to put something in of your choice. I think both these ladies did a unit on paganism.

''ALso everyone can learn a language.. We all speak at least one... (yes, some people are better but we all have the basic ability'')

this sort of attitude is not helpful to those people with a specific learning difficulty..

Everyone can learn to speak some words of a different language; if immersed in the language, perhaps even become fluent. But NOT everyone can learn to read, write and understand the grammar etc of a different language.
If you cannot read or spell in your own language you are unlikely to be able to pass GSCE in French, Germna, Spanish or Italian.

@Ivykaty - I would be just as worried if history was compulsory. I agree that whilst it sounds a fascinating and important subject, it does not deserve to be put on a higher pedestal than the other humanities.

@Saoralba - thanks, that's probably it

I'm an RE teacher too and scaryteacher speaks a lot of sense. I agree with it all and wish I could have been as eloquent...

well said scaryteacher

I am currently studying RE at uni with the hope to teach it at secondary level. However, on my course I am in the minority. Most of my fellow students want to work in Social Services or the Police and view RE as a subject to set them apart from the rest.

An understanding of religion in is invaluable.

Having read scaryteachers informed posts on this I have reached the conclusion that RE as she describes it sounds like a Godd Thing.

I am much more shocked at MarianColes DCs having to do a compulsory GCSE in PE. WTF!!

Aaagg. That was a typo. I meant it was a Good thing not a Godd thing.

Oh hang on....

I didn't know this either. My child won't be studying it if I have anything to do with the matter. I no more want him to have an understanding of all the different faiths than I want him to have tried coke and smack before he settles on hash.

Edith Do you not think it would be beneficial to your son for him to have at least some understanding of other people's perspectives? Or to understand (for example) that many atrocities committed in the name of religion are the result of deliberate misinterpretation of religious texts?

Or would you rather he grew up blissfully ignorant of any lifestyle or belief system other than his mother's?

In which case I despair.

RE compulsory - no problem. Found it really interesting and at my enlightened girls grammar school in the 1970s recall doing a 1/2 term on buddhism, one on Islam, one on Hinduism, one on Judaism, and visiting some of the places of worship. Really helped with my understanding of other people's cultures and beliefs. However, also thinks there should be three separate sciences, a modern foreign language and the opportunity to study Latin. If those things don't exist within a school it cannot be called comprehensive because it does not cater for all. It is a secondary modern esp if it has also introduced NVQs. Didn't the last government ban CSEs because they were divisive?

Missedith, giving your child an overview of the different religions doesn't mean he has to be religious. Some of the best students I had were atheist, or strongly secular, but they enjoyed the debate and they said it helped them to see a different viewpoint to their own, especially as Cornwall is not renowned for it's multi-ethnic population and mix of religions....(different denominations of Christianity, with a strong Methodist bent).

I am an agnostic - I am teaching my ds GCSE RE, we'll be studying Christianity and Judaism (one set of quotes to learn), but I don't expect him to come out of the experience with a strong religious belief as I don't have one, and we only go to church for Remembrance day (compulsory) and for Midnight Mass when my Mum is here for Christmas.

I cannot stress enough that RE is about teaching, not preaching, and that it is an academic subject. Have a look at the syllabus before you decide. It's not indoctrination of any kind, but a religious literacy which is useful.

I question its value as an academic subject, but in a crowded curriculum it is certainly a waste of my child's time.

Why do you question its value as an academic subject? I think as someone said earlier that Citizenship should be dropped as I don't believe that you can teach a child to be a good citizen; it comes with age and maturity and perhaps a desire to conform.

You will only be able to withdraw your child on religious grounds, not because you don't want them to do it, as the school has a statutory duty to provide RE and can be pulled up by Ofsted if it is not provided.

My HoD would also have expected you to come into school and supervise your child for the time, and provide work for them to do, as we would be teaching.

I don't have any problems with it being an academic subject for those so inclined but I don't see why it's any more special than a MFL or history, and why it has the same status as English or Maths on the curriculum.

Having just returned from another European country where English is now compulsory from 5 years of age, I think not having a compulsory language an embarassment.

I am not sure about RE as a compulsory subject, you could argue the value of most subjects per se........my gut feeling say I am against it being compulsory though...