Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies have been received from:

• Rev Howard Wright - Church of England Representative
• Danny Habel – Jewish Representative
• Yasmeen Hussain - Muslim Representative, Sayfullah Nasir was in attendance as the deputy.
• Gill Heron – Academy Co-opted Member
• James Pitkin - Governor Co-opted Member

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed and signed.

To receive any deputations.

There were no deputations received.

To receive any Chairman’s announcements.

The Chairman noted that Elizabeth Jenkerson had passed away in January. The Chairman articulated how Elizabeth was a force for good, knowledge and enthusiasm as part of Hampshire's SACRE. Adding that Elizabeth was not just an asset for RE, but for life in general and she helped Hampshire’s SACRE enormously with conferences, meetings, and support in general.

It was noted that Justine Ball had attended her funeral on behalf of Hampshire’s SACRE.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services regarding the activities and discussions of the monitoring group in relation to the monitoring of RE and the implementation of Living Difference IV.

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the activities of the Monitoring Group at its recent meeting on the 23 January 2024. It was noted that SACRE had a statutory responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of the locally agreed syllabus, which it did through this Monitoring Group.

Members noted a summary of the following areas discussed by the Monitoring Group with included:

·         Professional Education Opportunities

·         SACRE Monitoring Visits

·         Reports from Primary and Secondary Ofsted Visits

·         Information Gathered from other Inspector/Advisor Visits

·         Update on Teacher Vacancies and ITE Provision

·         Preliminary GCSE Results and Information

SACRE noted a concern in relation to the outcomes of SEND students, as there was reported to have been a widening of the attainment gap. Officers stated they would be sharing best practice in this area and looking to neighbours to see if this is part of a wider trend.

It was noted that all members of SACRE can undertake Monitoring Visits to witness religious education produced in a classroom, and that it would be beneficial for their monitoring role if more members endeavoured to do so.

RESOLVED:

That the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education noted the Monitoring Group report.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services on developments in relation to the work of the Religious Education Council, RE Research and other key national and local RE matters.

The Standing Advisory Panel for Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services setting out key national and local RE matters.

Members noted several initiatives funded by the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, the largest grant giving body supporting RE. Members also received an update on the National RE Hubs Project, a national scheme to create a central resource website for LAs, universities, SACREs, Museums, ITT providers, RE groups and advisors across England and Wales.

Officers set out the positive comments from Ofsted reports about RE in Hampshire schools. This contrasted with the national picture, as the Ofsted Annual Report from the Chief Inspector for the year 2022/23 refers to RE being of poor quality across England. It was noted that the Ofsted subject report on RE was due out shortly and would be circulated once available.

Members also received an update on several other initiatives, as detailed in the report, including the National Association of SACREs - the national body representing SACREs.

RESOLVED:

That the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education noted the report on key national and local re matters.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services facilitating the review of the Standing Advisory Council for religious Education’s three year plan.

The Standing Advisory Panel for Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services setting out their current three year action plan for review. This plan set out the actions SACRE considered necessary to undertake to meet its statutory function and to promote the effective teaching of RE in general and the Living Difference IV Syllabus in particular.

SACRE adjourned to discuss the action plan in detail in it’s four component Groups, ahead of reconvening and looking at the plan point by point, noting the following suggested amendments:

·         1.2 – This action should be expanded to highlight the importance of diversity in SACRE’s Group A.

·         2 – This section should include information on how children who are homeschooled can access the RE Moodle and RE Centre, and how their families can be made aware of this.

·         2.6 – The types of data available needs to be clarified.

·         5.1 – Should include mention of RE Centres and the resources available from them alongside the publications. It should also be expanded to include the advertisement of these resources and publications alongside their audit.

·         It was noted that the Annual Summer Youth Voice Conference listed in point 6.2 should be reestablished first, with the termly meetings of Youth Voice mentioned in 6.1 to follow. It was also noted that the method of holding these meetings should be reviewed, with consideration for whether they work best centrally or travelling around the County.

RESOLVED:

That the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education discussed and made suggestions for its Three Year Action Plan, to be presented to the next meeting for approval.