NASACRE welcomes the Ofsted subject report Deep and meaningful? (published Wednesday 17
April 2024). We are interested to note that the report highlights issues that NASACRE, along with
other RE bodies, have raised for some time with government. The report contains many helpful
messages & recommendations for NASACRE to use in its work with SACREs.
For example, the report will support SACREs to:

• be able to provide relevant and effective advice to their LA around the provision and quality
  of teaching of RE in local settings
• engage with those who can endeavour to ensure there is sufficient funding available to
  support RE locally
• work with senior leaders and governors in schools to support high quality RE
• work alongside schools to improve professional development for practitioners, so they can
  improve their subject knowledge, pedagogical practice and confidence in teaching RE
• support schools in being able to plan an ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum for RE,
  focusing on depth of understanding rather than broad superficial knowledge.
  

We agree with Ofsted that the government should ‘urgently’ update guidance for RE and we will
continue to work with the DfE to raise NASACRE’s concerns around this. We also look forward to
furthering our work with Ofsted, to ensure that schools provide high quality ‘deep and meaningful
RE’ for all pupils.
We will also work with our RE partners to ensure that this report has a positive impact in schools.
We agree with NATRE’s hope, that from this report, “OFSTED will take responsibility for its role and
there will be considerably more deep dives into RE during the ordinary inspection process.”
As a national association, we will be looking to work with SACREs through our webinar programme
over the next twelve months to explore how this report can be used effectively in the local context.