Problem Page (wendyanneh@aol.com)

Email your problems (RE related rather than personal, unless you’re desperate) or email in an answer to someone else’s.

 

Dear Problem Page

We have just gone through an Ofsted inspection but inspectors did not seem interested in RE. However, a friend of mine works in a school which has just recently had a subject inspection of RE. How will we know if we are likely to get one of these?

Answer

It is true that inspections concentrate on English and maths though observations can be made of teaching in any subject. The inspector looking at ‘curriculum’ has to check that the school is fulfilling statutory requirements for RE. Also, a grade has to be given for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and in from September 2008, community cohesion. Regarding subject inspections of RE – yes, there have been some in Lincs and there are likely to be more. The notice given is usually the same as for a full inspection (2 days) but Ofsted is moving the goalposts here and moving towards less or no notice for even full inspections.