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Religious Observance in Scottish schools: Report on the Consultation

Appendix 2:
Annotated Questionnaire
Review of Religious Observance in Scottish Schools

Notes on completion

This questionnaire should be read in conjunction with the Consultation Paper: Review of Religious Observance in Scottish Schools.

Each question is followed by a series of tick boxes. Please tick the response that most closely matches your opinion. At the end of the questionnaire you will find space to make any additional comments.

Your details

Name: -------------------------------------------------------------------

Job title (if applicable):

Address: ------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------- Post code:-------------

Email address: ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are you responding (N= 1453)

As an individual 70%

On behalf of an organisation 30% (please specify) -----------------------------------

Confidentiality (N=1473)

It is normal practice for responses to consultation papers to be made publicly available, unless respondents request that their comments remain confidential.

If you would like your comments to remain confidential, please tick the box

Yes - 22%
No - 78%

Acknowledgements

All responses will be acknowledged, either in writing or electronically. However, please note that in view of the size and nature of the consultation exercise, it will not be possible to respond individually to comments received.

Deadline for responses

The deadline for responses is 12 February 2003.

Completion and submission of responses

You have three options for completing and submitting your response:

Additional copies of consultation paper

Further copies are available from the above address, or can be downloaded from the Religious Observance Review Group website at the following address: http://www.ltscotland.com/religiousobservance

Religious observance is a statutory requirement in schools under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Parents have the legal right to withdraw their children if they wish. The Secretary of State has advised that secondary schools should provide at least monthly opportunities for participation in religious observance and that primary schools should provide at least weekly opportunities (SOED Circular 6/91). Recent HMIE inspection evidence suggests that schools are not following the advice contained in SOED Circular 6/91.

The Education Minister has set up a Review Group to review current guidance on arrangements for religious observance in schools and make recommendations to Ministers on any changes required to ensure that revised guidance to schools is relevant and appropriate for pupils. The Group has prepared a Consultation Paper which should be read with this consultation questionnaire. These questions are drawn from the issues raised in the Consultation Paper.

Religious observance is distinct from Religious and Moral Education (RME), which is defined within the context of this review as follows:

Within the non-denominational context, Religious and Moral Education 5-14 curriculum guidelines, define the aims of religious education in terms of the knowledge and understanding of religion and the exploration of meaning, values and purpose of life.

Within the denominational context, Religious and Moral Education 5-14 curriculum guidelines, Roman Catholic Schools, states that the aim of religious education is to foster and deepen the children's faith.

Religious observance in all schools builds on the whole experience of education and not just the RME class by allowing pupils and staff space for developing their spirituality and sharing the shared values of the school.

A. Definition

Question 1 (N= 1313)

Do you agree with the definition of 'religious observance' set down in the Consultation Paper?

The Review Group defines the term for use in schools 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.

B. Aims

The aims of religious observance as set down in the Consultation Paper are twofold. These are described in Questions 2 and 3 below.

Question 2 (N= 1313)

'The aim of religious observance is to promote the spiritual development of all members of the school community.' Do you agree with this aim? (Tick one box only)

Question 3 (N=1308)

'The aim of religious observance is to express and celebrate the shared values of the school community.' Do you agree with this aim? (Tick one box only)

C. Implementation

Question 4a (N=1287)

How often do you think primary pupils should be given an opportunity to participate in religious observance? (Tick one box only)

Question 4b (N=1285)

How often do you think secondary pupils should be given an opportunity to participate in religious observance? (Tick one box only)

Question 5

How appropriate do you think the following locations are for religious observance? (Please rank from 1-4 in order of appropriateness, where 1 is very appropriate, 2 appropriate, 3 quite appropriate and 4 not appropriate).

Question 6 (N=1319)

Are you aware that parents have a right to withdraw their children from religious observance in schools? (Tick one box only)

Question 7 (N=1473)

What do you think would give schools the maximum opportunity for provision of religious observance? (Tick all that apply)

Question 8 (N=1269)

How helpful did you find Exemplar 1 (A Muslim story)? (Tick one box only)

Question 9 (N=1285)

How helpful did you find the Consultation Paper? (Tick one box only)

Question 10 (N=1240)

How inclusive did you find the Consultation Paper?

Question 11 (N=1473)

Are there any other points you would like to make regarding religious observance in schools?

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