We are pleased to present this statutory element of the Bexley Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. This represents the first part of a new and exciting syllabus for Bexley.

This statutory part of the syllabus sets out how Religious Education (RE) must be taught in Bexley’s schools and, because the subject is not part of the national curriculum, it contains locally set attainment targets and assessment arrangements.

The second and final part of the syllabus is a practical and detailed online resource containing recommended lesson plans and comprehensive guidance resources for teachers, which supports the statutory requirements of the syllabus.

This syllabus represents a significant change from the one introduced in 2007. By separating this statutory element from what will now be a web based non-statutory element, we believe Bexley’s teachers have an innovative, effective and easily adaptable framework and resource for the teaching of RE. It will enable both specialist and nonspecialist teachers to develop RE lessons in a way to best suit their own context, whilst still providing them with support as they do so.

Good RE has many positive attributes. It encourages our pupils to develop religious literacy, to learn from others, to reflect and analyse, to develop a sense of identity and belonging, and to respect and be sensitive towards others. It has an important role in preparing young people for later life, employment and lifelong learning in a multi-cultural society. This syllabus supports the development of our pupils and will help to maintain Bexley’s excellence in the teaching of good RE.

This document and the online resource represent the culmination of a great deal of hard work undertaken by teachers in our schools, members of local faith communities, the members of the Agreed Syllabus Conference and officers of the London Borough of Bexley. We are extremely grateful for their dedication, support, advice and input.

We commend this syllabus and consider that it meets the needs of our pupils, of our schools and hardworking teachers, and of our community as a whole.

Councillor John Fuller ^{(Cabinet Member for Education)}

Councillor Richard Gillespie ^{(Chairman, Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education & Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference)}