Judaism in Non-Jewish Schools

As well as our directing on all aspects of educational policy regarding Jewish schools, the Board of Deputies also ensures that Judaism is accurately and appropriately portrayed in Religious Education syllabi across the country.

Despite its status as a statutory subject which must be taught in all schools, Religious Education is not a part of the National Curriculum.  Instead, every Local Authority has its own locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education, which is applicable to each of the school schools within its catchment.  This syllabus is drawn up by a committee called a SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education). SACREs are made up of representatives of all the faiths in their given area, as well as additional Church of England representation, teachers associations and Local Authority delegates. Between this diverse group, decisions are made as to how Religious Education will look in schools in their local area. (NB - Voluntary Aided schools with a religious character such as our Jewish schools do not follow these Agreed Syllabi; they are free to teach Religious Education according to their own trust deed).

The Board of Deputies ensures that there are Jewish representatives on as many of these SACRE committees as possible across the country, and finds suitable candidates to fill any open positions. Currently, most areas have an active Jewish representative.  To be a Jewish SACRE representative, a person must have a good knowledge of Judaism and ideally have some connection to the British Education system.  Being a SACRE representative involves attendance at meetings about once a term and many people find it invaluable for building communal relations and for the networking opportunities it can provide.  We have a database of wonderful Jewish SACRE representatives up and down the country, from Devon to Durham, from Hampshire to Hull - Judaism is being represented on SACREs and therefore hopefully taught in local schools.

As well as this work on a local level, we are also involved in shaping RE policy on a national level.  The Board sits on the Executive of the RE Council, was heavily involved in the production of the latest DCSF publication "Religious Education in Schools: Non-Statutory Guidance 2010" and we consult often with publishers of textbooks, with networks of RE teachers and with universities, training PGCE groups of RE teachers.

In addition, our many other educational projects such as the Jewish Way of Life Exhibition (JWOLE), Seeing Jewish Life Tours and JWOLE Lite posters are all tools that we use to ensure that there are positive, engaging opportunities for young people to learn about Judaism as part of their RE lessons.

So whilst it's our work with Jewish pupils in Jewish schools, or helping Jewish pupils in non-Jewish schools which you might have already heard about, don't forget all the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that our faith and traditions are being learnt about by all young people across the country.