Page 18 - link magazine

18 EDUCATION MATTERS
The 1988 Education Act has given God on the timetable from teaching than praying.
parents and teachers in state These acts of worship don't
schools a lot to think about. Those Erica Holley, Co-Ordinator of Humanities at Greendown require the whole school to get
sections on religious education Community School considers the Implications of the 1988 together for a morning assembly.
and assemblies are among the Education Act and Religious Education In Schools They can take place in small
most controversial and confusing. groups at any time of day. At
There are all kinds of reports What are schools required to What's RE about? Greendown it will be organised
floating about that from do? It isn't about converting pupils to around tutor groups.
September 1989 schools can only By law religious education must Christianity. It's finding out Philosophers, lawyers, the
teach Christianity and that there be taught to all pupils in state about religious traditions and clergy and teachers are left to
hasto be Christian worship every schools and every pupil, every commitments; helping pupils to work out what the Act means
day. The Act doesn't actually day should take part in a collective explore spiritual values and when it states that worship must
state that but we need to be clear act of worship that should be of a helping them to find meaning, be 'of a broadly Christian
what the law says. 'broadly Christian character'. purpose and value in life. All this character'.
Parents still have the right to is in the Wiltshire syllabus. What does 'worship' Involve
Car Boot Sale withdraw their children from the Every school interprets the anyway?
at Upper Shaw Farm religious aspects of the syllabus in its own way. At A quick hymn and a prayer is
Centre, Ridge Green curriculum. Greendown students study RE insulting to believers. An
Who decides what's taught In throughout their five years at the assembly about the work of
Sunday 14 May, RE? school as part of their humanities Greenpeace could be said to be
lOam - 2pm Every local education authority course. RE at Greendown plays a 'broadly Christian' because it's
Boots £4 & £5 must have an agreed syllabus and vital role in our multi-cultural about preserving the
Tel: 873168 or 871743 this is drawn up by a local initiatives; it is not denomin- environment - couldn't it?
Standing Advisory Council for ational but attempts to encourage Schools will have to bring
Refreshments. In aid of
Shaw Ridge Toddler Group Religious Education (SACRE). all students to find value and educational good sense to its acts
The councils have to reflect the worth in each other and in each of worship. Teachers are not
principal religious traditions in others faiths. priests and know that parents are
RACE NIGHT the area and so in Wiltshire we What about worship In the most important influence on
have one Muslim, one Sikh and schools? the their children. What happens
at Freshbrook one Hindu member as well as This is the most controversial part in the home, neighbourhood,
representatives from the Roman of the Act. Less than one tenth of church, gudwara, mosque,
Community Centre
Catholic, Anglican and Free the adult population takes part in synagogue or temple are the most
on Saturday 13 May Churches. There are other formal worship even once a week. important aspects of a child's
7pm. members on the SACRE to The government wants all pupils religious education. As for the
represent teachers and the local of state schools to do so every law, parents and teachers will yet
All profits to West
Swindon Community education authority. The agreed day. Pupils in private education again have to sort out the
Enterprise syllabus must include the or at the new CTCs are exempt. confusions left by ministers
Tickets £1 on the door teaching of all the principal Perhaps Mr Baker thinks that whose own children will remain
religions in Britain. those pupils would benefit more untouched in private schools.

Bass & Welsh Brewers Taverns

are pleased to announce that

Brian & Jenny Lines of

The Village Inn

Shaw Village Centre

were awarded the

Bass Caterers of the Year 1988

Food is available 12noon - 2pm Monday to Sunday

6pm - 9pm Monday to Saturday
Family Room
Children and Parents welcomed all licensing hours
Bookings Taken • Company Accounting Facilities A

Li Tel: VISA 1
8746041