To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2009.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 6 November 2009 were approved.

·        Councillor Evans requested the Interfaith Forum minutes from the previous 2 meetings be circulated among SACRE members. There was also a request to circulate the Ofsted reports for Hampton Wick Infant and Nursery School and Marshgate Primary School. (Cerk to action)

·        Councillor Evans announced that the Annual Report had been successfully submitted to QWCA. (Cerk to action)

·        Councillor Evans agreed to raise the issue of RE in the academies at the Scrutiny Education Committee following a reference to Academies in the new non Statutory Guidance for English schools.  (Cerk/ Pat to action)

·        The Committee agreed that it was important to continue improving access to the web site for schools. (Cerk/ Pat to action)

·        It was agreed to continue to not report Ofsted assessments at SACRE unless they were exceptionally good or warranted concern. (Cerk to action)

Mrs Singh to do a presentation on Sikhism.

Mrs Singh said her Gurdwara (Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Hounslow) is a place for worship and community development.

The congregation first gathered in 1978 in 2 scout huts on a plot of land. 

The first building was opened in 1981.

A Woman was chosen to lay the first foundation stone in 1989. In addition 5 saintly women and 5 saintly men were also chosen to lay foundation stones for the new building. It was opened in 1992. An additional building was opened on 14 October 2004 by HM Queen Elizabeth II.

The Gurdwara is run by trustees and many volunteers. It is a progressive institution that encourages equality. The building is open all day and provides free food.

Mrs Singh highlighted how busy the Gurdwara is catering for the community:

·        Every year the Gurdwara receives 200+ visits from schools.

·        Sunday school is very popular. Both GCSE and A-level students attend. Religious education is taught to children aged 4-6 years old. Other activities include martial arts, summer camps and sponsored walks. The sponsored walk in 2009 raised £10’000.

·        Mrs Singh reported that a quarter of all marriages at the Gurdwara are now between couples of different faiths.

·        There had been 60 funerals in 2009.

·        GobindMarg is the monthly bulletin of Sri Guru Singh Sabha of Hounslow. It includes details of regular scheduled religious services, news and a current list of matrimonial partners for Sikh assisted marriages.

·        The Gurdwara works with the local health care trusts to heighten awareness of physical health issues including: diabetes and heart disease.

·        The local Citizens Advice Bureau hold drop-in sessions at the Gurdwara.

·        Spiritual trips to nursing homes are arranged by the Gurdwara.

There are 6-7 employees who are scripture readers at the Gurdwara.

Mrs Singh highlighted the new exhibition of the Sikh Kingdom at the Gurdwara which had been open since 31 January.

Councillor Coombs, the governor of Heathfield Junior School, said that when classes visit the Gurdwara they always comment on the food which is very popular. He asked how they finance the food and Mrs Singh responded that they receive donations. Last year (09) they received £650,000 in donations.

[Jenny Dibsdall agreed to do a presentation at the next meeting of SACRE on 16 June 2010].

·        General Introduction

·        SACREs responsibility

Pat asked all SACRE members to read the Non-Statutory Guidance pack that was available to download via the NASACRE web site.

·         The pack helps to define SACREs roles and responsibilities.

·         Pat pointed out that the academies are required, through their funding agreements, to teach RE.

·         Denominational academies with a religious character (Church of England or Roman Catholic – but also Muslim and most Jewish academies), will work in line with the denominational syllabus.

·         The Committee agreed it would be good to have a teacher and/ or a member of the Councils Education department as a member of SACRE. (Chair to action)

Support documents are attached.

The following points were raised when debating the Action Plan:

·         It was agreed that at the next SACRE meeting agenda item 4 would be called “assessment of schools collective worship.” This would give schools time to implement the new advice on Collective worship issued by SACRE last summer.

      (Clerk to action)

·         Pat suggested using alternative venues for meetings. However, this had previously lead to small attendance numbers at meetings. (Clerk to action)

·         It was agreed to contact the Councils Equalities officer for advice on maintaining SACREs level of inclusion and diversity. (Clerk/ Pat to action)

·         The Committee suggested inviting a member of the Youth Council to contribute at SACRE. This could coincide with meeting at an alternative venue like Heatham House. (Clerk to action)

·         After discussing and amending the Action Plan the Committee agreed that the revised action plan should be circulated to all SACRE members. (Clerk to action)

Pat Alden will provide an update on the following issues:

·        New Primary Curriculum

·        RE panel

·        Interfaith Forum

Primary Curriculum update: Pat reported that her presentation to the RE Panel went very well. There was a general consensus that the agreed syllabus is clear and easy to work from.

All primary schools had a scheme of work written by John Logan and this was available on the Richmond education web site. It had been suggested that the new documents - the new guidance and the primary curriculum for RE - also be placed on the website for all primary schools to access. (Clerk/ Pat  to action)

Since the last SACRE meeting (3 November 2009) the following schools have had outstanding marks for Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development: in their Ofsted inspections

Primary Schools

·        Hampton Wick Infant and Nursery School

·        Marshgate Primary School

*Copies of Ofsted reports are available upon request.*

The committee heard the highlights from Hampton Wick Infant and Nursery School and Marshgate Primary Schools Ofsted reports. Both had received excellent results for their moral, social and cultural development.

Pat explained that there are guidelines for Ofsted inspections in the Non-statutory guidance.

Councillor Khosa announced “On the Edge” a day of world music being held on 15 and 16 August which celebrates live world music and international dance.

Pat directed Committee members to www.retoday.org.uk where the new primary curriculum can be downloaded.

Councillor Coombs proposed a vote of thanks for the Chair at the end of the financial year.