Recommendations of the Working Group on Religious Observance in Schools

In December 2001, the Religious Observance Review Group was set up with specific aims; to review current guidance on arrangements for religious observance in schools taking account of the views of interested bodies and individuals including religious organisations, teachers, parents and pupils; and to make recommendations to Ministers on any changes which are required to ensure that revised guidance to schools is relevant and appropriate for pupils, that it fulfils the requirements of the 1980 Act and also provides practical advice on religious observance.

In June 2004 the Working Group on Religious Observance in Schools published its report. It stated:

Many school communities are characterised by a diversity of beliefs and practices reflecting a range of religious and other stances. It is of central importance that all pupils and staff can participate with integrity in the forms of religious observance devised by their school without compromise to their personal faith stances …. One implication of this diversity is that the forms of religious observance devised may differ from school to school.

It went on to make five recommendations:

Recommendation 1

The (then) Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) review the Circular on religious observance to include:

• a definition of religious observance as 'community acts which aim to promote the spiritual development of all members of the school community and express and celebrate the shared values of the school community and define the aims as to promote the spiritual development of all members of the school community and to express and celebrate the shared values of the school community';
• a statement that in terms of frequency every school should provide opportunities for religious observance at least six times in a school year in addition to traditional celebrations central to the life of the school community;
• a statement that, subject to the above guidance, local authorities should be encouraged to devise forms of religious observance which take account of local circumstances and the needs of their particular pupils;
• a statement that schools should consider requests for opportunities for organised acts of worship within the informal curriculum taking account of the availability of appropriate personnel and accommodation.

Recommendation 2
SEED should provide further guidance on religious observance which takes account of research and development work on spiritual development and values. The guidance should incorporate a series of exemplars and the development of a self-evaluation toolkit which reflects the aims of religious observance as defined in this report.

Recommendation 3
SEED should provide guidance for schools on the role of chaplains and chaplaincy teams in religious observance and in the overall life of the school. SEED should also develop self-evaluation tools that can be used by schools to evaluate the quality of religious observance provided for pupils.

Recommendation 4
The review of the curriculum in Scotland, as outlined in Educating for Excellence, should consider the role of religious observance in future educational provision and should take account of the findings of this report.

Recommendation 5
Schools are encouraged to ensure that when communal locations are used for religious observance they are prepared in an appropriate manner. In addition local authorities should give consideration to incorporating smaller areas appropriate for other forms of religious observance in the planning and design of new school buildings.'

A full copy of the report is available at www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/rorg-00.asp

The (then) Scottish Executive response to RORG recommendations

The approach to religious observance outlined in the report is one which can be embraced by all schools in Scotland. Support materials will be developed, commissioned by the Scottish Executive, for schools which will help them to put the recommendations made by the Group into practice. Work has also begun on a revised circular for schools and the views of relevant faith and education interests will be taken before this is finalised and issued to schools.