Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Sandra Routledge and Vivien Sunlight.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2012 were received and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.

To receive an update from the SACRE Advisor on the NASACRE Annual General Meeting 2012.

Pat Alden, the SACRE advisor, had attended the NASARCE Annual General meeting and observed the following two presentations:

Professor Robert Jackson, from Warwick Religions and Education Research Unit: “Research and European Policy Making on Religious Education – taking account of young peoples’ views in developing the subject.”

The presentation considered the following: why RE was included in the Curriculum?; Consideration of the effect RE had on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC) in schools; the need to study religions as well as religious ideology; the effect RE had on developing skills of self reflection; Culture versus Faith; the need for factual learning as well as awareness of values and faith communities identity.

Lat Blaylock, Editor, from RE Today magazine: “SACRE + Teachers of RE = Good learning.”

The presentation emphasized the importance of SCARE’s supporting the teaching of good RE across all levels of education. He discussed the relationship of RE to SMSC and the current OFSTED practice of looking at the contribution of SMSC to the whole school.

To receive a report from the SACRE Advisor on the Richmond RE Panel and recent work with schools.

Pat agreed to inform the RE Panel that Lesley Prior would be appointed as her successor as SACRE Advisor. The RE Panel was due to discuss sacred space and its inclusion in teaching at Key Stages 1 and 2. In preparation, Pat had undertaken a study of sacred spaces in the borough, including local cemeteries and churches. 

As an RE coordinator, she helped teachers to improve the delivery of RE teaching. Recent work with the RE Panel had included assisting several of the borough’s schools, helping to promote the new OFSTED framework and trying to convince teachers of the importance of spirituality. This had included directing teachers to the NASACRE publication “Collective Worship – revisited”.

She had worked with three schools, in particular, in delivering service training for teachers. She described the process as learning from RE, not just learning about it.

She recommended that SACRE members read and promote “About your RE”- a useful, informative leaflet. It was described as “a message to Head Teachers, Chairs of Governors and Subject Leaders of Religious Education in Academies and Free Schools” Pat said it would be beneficial for all schools to receive a copy.

SACRE Advisor to provide an update.

The Committee considered how pupils could benefit from effective visits to faith buildings. Pupils visiting faith buildings needed to understand what they were observing in order to learn from their visit. It was hoped that by making hosts at the faith building aware of the agreed syllabus they could address key areas of importance to visitors in a clear, understandable way.

The Committee discussed chaplaincy and its effectiveness in promoting RE in further and higher education.  Pauline Thomas, from Richmond College’s Chaplaincy Team explained her team’s involvement with the college: They tried to represent all faith backgrounds by organising events and activities. The faith events had proven to be very popular among all students.

To agree the SACRE action plan – attached.

The Committee agreed the SACRE Action Plan, with minor amendments to the wording.

Peter Ward to provide an overview of the Religious Education Council.

Peter Ward addressed the Committee: the RE Council (REC) for England and Wales was established in 1973 to represent the shared interests of professional associations (including NASACRE and AREIAC) and faith communities in deepening and strengthening the provision for RE.

It provided a multi-faith forum where national organisations, with an interest in supporting and promoting Religious Education in schools and colleges, could share matters of common concern.

The REC published reports and advisory booklets including: Collective Worship Reviewed; a report on extensive consultations on collective worship in schools, carried out by the REC, NASACRE and the Inter Faith Network.

The REC acted as a voice for RE in the media and in meetings with government bodies. REC member organisations had initiated meetings and consultations with the Department for Education and Schools, and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency.

During the emergence of the English Baccalaureate, the REC had worked hard to raise awareness of the sidelining of RE from the National Curriculum.  

The RE Panel had been proactive in monitoring statements made by the Minister of State for Schools and the Secretary of State for Education, both of whom had wrongly said RE was only compulsory until year eleven; In actual fact RE was compulsory throughout all school years.

Starting in September, schools would be required to publish their curriculum each year. This would allow SACREs to see what provision local schools were making for RE.

To confirm the future meeting dates for SACRE:

·         6 Nov 2012 7:00 pm;

·         12 February 2013. 7:00pm;

·         11 June 2013 7:00pm.

The Committee noted the future meeting dates.

To receive any announcements from members of the Committee.

There were no announcements.