Introducing our New Strategy

Our strategic objectives over the last three years have served us well, and we believe we have made much progress. However, the educational context has changed; society is shifting, and we must respond to this. You will see that our revised objectives are similar, but with some subtle changes which I will explain a little more about.

Our new strategic objectives 2023-26 are:

1. Promoting positive public perception and understanding of an education in religion and worldviews
2. Influencing governments’ policies in supporting a high-quality education in religion and worldviews [1], including the implementation of a National Plan in England
3. Advocating for the importance of high-quality education in religion and worldviews within the education world
4. Empowering the current and next generation of religion and worldviews teachers and leaders
5. Fostering and nurturing collaborative partnerships within the religion and worldviews community

[1] By the phrase an education in religion and worldviews, we are including what is currently to referred in legislation as Religious Education in England, Religion Values and Ethics in Wales, Religious and Moral Education in Scotland and Religious Education in Northern Ireland.

In our first objective we have added the word ‘understanding’. Our commissioned surveys over the last two years indicate that there is much positive perception, but often there is less understanding of what an education in religion and worldviews means. We will be developing our work and looking to support those who are seeking understanding. We see our work on promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief as a key strand within this.

Our second objective has changed significantly to refer to the different governments within the UK, as well as to the implementation of a National Plan in England specifically. This aims to highlight the fact that CSTG supports work across the whole of the UK, as well as focusing on achieving change within England specifically.

The third objective is unchanged. We still aim to advocate for the subject within the wider education world, including with organisations such as Ofsted, Oak Academy, Unions, Multi- Academy Trusts, as well as with governors, headteachers and parents.

Our fourth objective aims to place more emphasis on supporting teachers and leaders throughout their career. There is a more specific nod to recruitment and retention here in the language we have used, and to empowering leaders of the future.
Lastly, our final objective builds on our work facilitating the religion and worldviews community to work more cohesively together over the last three years. We feel RExChange and our Leadership Programme have supported this. We sense that many organisations within the sector are collaborating and working in partnership and we would like to support this strategically, particularly through the RE Hubs.

Culham St Gabriel’s is entering a new season. We hope you will want to partner with us as we continue to work towards our vision for a broad-based, critical, reflective education in religion and worldviews contributing to a well-informed, respectful, and open society.