Agreed Syllabus

By law, religious education in community schools and sometimes elsewhere is given according to a syllabus that is drawn up by a local committee - the Agreed Syllabus Committee.

This is made up of four groups (three in Wales), each of which has one vote. The four are: the Church of England (not in Wales); all other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions; the local education authority; and local teachers' organisations.

Guidance on preparing these syllabuses has been issued but the official Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and model syllabuses were issued in 1994 by its predecessor body the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority.