Mindful Nation UK report

http://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org.uk/images/reports/Mindfulness-APPG-Report_Mindful-Nation-UK_Oct2015.pdf

Mindful Nation UK report 

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Mindfulness launched the Mindful
Nation UK report yesterday at Portcullis House.

NATRE: Voices of Faith and belief in schools

http://timabbott.co.uk/2014/01/29/2054/

http://www.natre.org.uk/uploads/Free%20Resources/Voices%20of%20faith%20and%20belief%20in%20schools.pdf

Voices of Faith and belief in schools

NATRE: Guidance and code of conduct

NATRE, has released an update to its guidance for religious visitors to schools which can be downloaded here.

As an organisation working with schools in the Colchester area we adopt this guidance as a standard for the way we work with the schools we serve. It recognises both the significant benefit that visitors representing faith or belief groups (whether religious or not) can bring to schools as well as the responsibility of these groups to work in an educational and inclusive way. The guidance can be summarised by this question:

If a member of another religion or belief visited my child’s school and contributed in the same way as I have done, would I, as a parent, be happy with the education given?

The guidance covers:

• Principles and good practice
• Code of Conduct
• Schools’ responsibilities
• The three main contexts where visitors might contribute to school life
• The basics of communicating effectively with children and young people

It concludes:

Much wonderful RE, and many inspiring acts of collective worship or assemblies, result from the visit of a person willing to share his or her faith or belief. From the point of view of NATRE, schools are encouraged to welcome these visitors whenever possible, and communities of faith and belief are encouraged to contribute to the curriculum and collective worship some of the treasures of their living beliefs.

THE DFE GOVERNORS' HANDBOOK, REVISED AND RELEASED ON 11.9.14

http://www.nga.org.uk/getattachment/Guidance/Legislation,policies-and-procedures/Government-advice-and-guidance/Governors-Guide-to-the-Law/Governors_Handbook_Sept2014.pdf.aspx

THE DFE GOVERNORS' HANDBOOK, REVISED AND RELEASED ON 11.9.14

USEFUL NEW TEXT FROM THE DFE GOVERNORS' HANDBOOK, REVISED AND RELEASED ON 11.9.14

3.1.2 Religious education

All state-funded schools must teach religious education. Maintained schools without a religious character should follow the syllabus agreed by the local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).

Voluntary aided schools with a religious character should provide RE in accordance with the trust deed or religious designation of the school, unless parents request the locally agreed syllabus.

Foundation schools and voluntary controlled schools with a religious character should follow the locally agreed syllabus, unless parents request RE in accordance with the trust deed or religious designation of the school.

Religious education is also compulsory in faith and non-faith academies and free schools as set out in their funding agreements.


3.1.3 Collective worship


All maintained schools without a religious character must provide a daily act of broadly Christian collective worship for their pupils. In community schools and non-faith foundation schools, the head teacher is responsible for arranging this after consulting the 46

governing body. In voluntary aided schools, voluntary controlled schools and foundation schools with a religious character, the governing body is responsible for arranging collective worship in accordance with the trust deed or religious designation of the school after consulting the head teacher.

In some maintained schools without a religious character, the family backgrounds of some or all pupils may lead the head teacher and governing body to conclude that broadly Christian collective worship is not appropriate. The head teacher can apply to the local SACRE to have the broadly Christian requirement disapplied and replaced by collective worship distinctive of another faith and should consult the governing body before doing so.

Academies and free schools without a religious character must also provide a daily act of broadly Christian collective worship by virtue of their funding agreement. An academy or free school wishing to have the broadly Christian requirement disapplied and replaced by collective worship distinctive of another faith should apply to the Secretary of State via the EFA.
previous version of the doc
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/270398/Governors-Handbook-January-2014.pdf

Responding to tragedy in modern life | by Ajahn Brahm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWJP8r61KIU&index=7&list=UU6M_EhnSSdTG_SXUp6IAWmQ

Responding to tragedy in modern life | by Ajahn Brahm 

 

Published on Jun 7, 2014

Ajahn Brahm helps us to understand and be at peace with tragic and apparently meaningless events that occur in the modern world.

Does Rebirth make sense ?

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bps-essay_46.html

Does Rebirth Make Sense?

by Bhikkhu Bodhi

 

Newcomers to Buddhism are usually impressed by the clarity, directness, and earthy practicality of the Dhamma as embodied in such basic teachings as the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the threefold training. These teachings, as clear as day-light, are accessible to any serious seeker looking for a way beyond suffering. When, however, these seekers encounter the doctrine of rebirth, they often balk, convinced it just doesn't make sense.

Thubten Chodron: Baby Blessing Ceremony

http://www.thubtenchodron.org/DailyLifeDharma/baby_blessing_ceremony.html

Baby Blessing Ceremony:

Prepared by Venerable Thubten Chodron with additions by Geshe Gelek.

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(This event is open to all members of the Dharma community, their families, and guests. The babies, as well as older children, will be present.)

Program:

1. The leader welcomes everyone and gives an introductory talk about the preciousness of the parent-child relationship and the value of Dharma in a family.
2. Parents welcome their babies 
3. The community welcomes the babies 
4. Children's Aspirations for the Parents 
5. Parents' Aspirations for the Children 
6. Chanting and Blessing
7. Dedication

NATRE: Guidance on RE matters

http://www.natre.org.uk/free.php

NATRE: Guidance on RE matters

A Review of Religious Education in England & Framework Religious Education Council of England and Wales
The RE Review, an initiative of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, takes account of wider educational aims, including the aims of the new national curriculum. In particular, it embodies respect for the law and the principles of freedom, responsibility and fairness. It demonstrates a commitment to raising expectations and standards of the RE received by all children and young people.
View document

Academies and RE NATRE
Statement from the DfE about the legal requirement for RE in Academies.
View document

Complaints protocal for maintained schools NATRE
Complaints protocol for maintained schools - 2013.
View document

Exam Reform 2013 NATRE
A presentation outlining exam reform 2013.
View document

Glossary of terms QCDA
A glossary of key terms in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.
View document

Improving RE through collaboration and outreach Fiona Moss
Improving RE through collaboration and outreach A FREE training conference for specialist leaders in education, lead and leading practitioners and advanced skills teachers in RE This one-day conference will support the development of the senior or middle leader involved in working with individuals or teams in their own and other schools. Using the RE Quality mark as a benchmark for RE professional development and school improvement, delegates will be prepared for REQM assessor accreditation. There will be a focus on the sharing of good practice, group discussion and practical activities.
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Ofsted generic grade descriptors - RE Ofsted
Generic grade descriptors and supplementary subject-specific guidance for inspectors on making judgements during visits to schools

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Ofsted Grade Descriptors Ofsted
Generic grade descriptors and supplementary subject-specific guidance for inspectors on making judgements during visits to schools. Useful for all RE subject leaders.
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Ofsted report 2013 - Religious education: realising the potential Ofsted
Ofsted's 2013 'long report' on RE.
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RE & Collective Worship in Academies and Free Schools DfE
A Q&A response from the DfE outlining the position with regard to RE and Collective Worship in Academies and Free Schools.
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Religious education guidance in English schools 2010 DCSF
Non-statutory guidance for RE in English schools, published January 2010. This guidance replaces Circular 1/94 with regard to guidance on RE. Pages 26 - 30 are of particular relevance to schools.
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Schools White Paper 2010 DfE
The Importance of Teaching - the Schools White Paper 2010, published 24 November.
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SMSC - Guidance for Ofsted Inspectors 2012 Ofsted
Subsidiary Guidance issued to Ofsted Inspectors for Section 5 inspections of schools and academies. Includes reference to SMSC and the curriculum.
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Transforming Religious Education Ofsted report 2010 Ofsted
Ofsted's 2010 report on Religious Education based on research in 30 primary and 30 secondary schools over three years.
View document

Using the 2013 Ofsted report to support RE NATRE
Guidance from NATRE on how to use the 2013 Ofsted Report 'religious education: realising the potential' to support RE.
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Voices of faith and belief in schools NATRE
Guidance and a code of conduct.
View document

Warwick University Research: Materials to teach about world religions in schools in England. DCSF
The final report of Warwick University's research project for the DCSF, published January 2010.
View document