Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 7 March 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2013 were agreed as a correct record.

Minute 37: Governor Services’ training on the new Locally Agreed Syllabus would be provided probably in the spring term 2014.

Minute 38: The Humanist Association had been contacted and the aim was for a representative to attend the next meeting in November 2013. This was not for the Humanist Association to join the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) at present but for discussions to be held.

A Humanist representative to address the Group.

A representative from the Humanist Association would aim to attend the next meeting in November 2013.

Update.

Jo Fageant had attended a meeting for the R.E. co-ordinators. It was poorly attended but had been a good meeting with positive sharing of ideas. Ann Andrews from St Michael’s Easthampstead CE Primary School had shared her ideas on planning which were highly regarded and was happy for these to be shared more widely.

It was suggested that a communication be sent to the schools who could not attend the meeting in order to encourage future attendance.

(Action: Jo Fageant)

It was suggested that there be a plan for the three SACRE meetings next year and for this to be communicated to relevant parties.

Martin Surrell would obtain direct contact details for the R.E. Co-ordinators with the aim of improving attendance next time.

Democratic Services to provide an update.

The Clerk reported that no vacancies had been filled as yet and there would be a further update at the next meeting.

Members are asked to comment on the draft Bracknell Forest SACRE Development Plan for 2013-2015.

Martin Surrell and Jo Fageant had drafted a Bracknell Forest SACRE Development Plan for 2013-15.

The plan would be realistic and achievable and there were revised key purposes in the document and references to the statutory obligations of SACRE.

There would be a newsletter to schools which was a new initiative and would include current developments; Jo Fageant would be the link for this. The plan would include the facility for teachers to attend the summer term SACRE meeting and bring pupils, in addition to initiatives and guidance to schools on collective worship. This would be planned for 2014-15 to give time to discuss SACRE’s involvement in this. This could possibly be combined into an event or competition.

The costs could be completed if SACRE members agreed the plan. It was noted that R.E. Ambassadors (older students trained to discuss religion in primary schools) were in place in some areas already. A senior HMI for R.E. had visited a young ambassadors project and found it to be beneficial for the senior students involved, with the preparation of presentations and the experience of speaking to young pupils. Primary schools did not always utilise this resource.

It was suggested that the young ambassadors project could be advertised in the newsletter. It was noted that Edgbarrow’s R.E. results were particularly good and that it may be possible to combine a presentation at SACRE next summer term with the launch of an Ambassadors pilot.

(Action: Martin Surrell)

The members agreed to adopt the draft plan and thanked Martin and Jo for their work on it.

David Fawcett to feedback on the NASACRE Conference.

The Chairman mentioned that the feedback from the NASACRE Conference discussion groups was not on the website as yet. It was reported that the information had been collated but a ‘website ready’ version had not been made yet.

There had been much conversation regarding academies but there was just one academy in Bracknell Forest at present, whereas other areas had more.

Mark Chater had given a speech at the conference. His ideas were controversial and he had written a chapter on ‘Is there a future for SACREs.?’. He was an R.E. teacher and a powerful voice for R.E. He had asked if SACREs were fit for purpose and constructive.

It was queried whether some R.E. papers could be obtained to use questions for short courses.

(Action: Martin Surrell)

Carol Nicholls to provide feedback on the Joint SACRE Conference.

Feedback on the Joint SACRE Conference included that it was well set out. Schools could be encouraged to apply for the R.E. quality mark but schools may be put off by the expense of this. It was queried which schools could consider this if funding could be obtained. The criteria for the quality mark were high and set out indicators of good performance. Provision of R.E. would be assessed by an external assessor but was very different to Ofsted and schools had to pay for this assessment.

The quality mark for R.E. had been established less than one year ago. There had been very postive feedback from the Joint SACRE Conference. This year had been more poorly attended than previously. It was queried whether SACRE would like to continue with this conference with the delegate rate being approximately £25 a head. For another Joint SACRE Conference next year, this would need to be planned in autumn 2013 with the aim of circulating details in spring 2014.

Changes were expected and it was helpful to hear of these changes and the perspectives of other SACRE’s. A draft suggestion for another Joint SACRE Conference would be brought to the next meeting in the autumn.

(Action: Jo Fageant)

Martin Surrell discussed the R.E. exam results for 2012 for GSCE full courses, GCSE short courses, and A Levels. There was a high proportion of students achieving at least a grade C in GCSE. It would be good to encourage more students to take R.E. as a subject. GCSE results were strong across the schools in the Borough and A Level results showed all students achieved at least a Grade E pass.

Jo Fageant reported that the Archbishop of Canterbury had convened a C of E education seminar on Wednesday 3 July 2013:

‘The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, hosted a seminar today at Lambeth Palace, during which Education Secretary Michael Gove praised the standards and popularity of church schools and urged a continuing partnership

The seminar, "Church of England: Education and our Future”, attended by bishops, Diocesan Board of Education chairs and other church education leaders from across the country, marked the launch of a new document; "A Diocesan Board of Education for the Future".’

The Chairman advised that he would bring his collection of Maundy money to the next meeting.

The Group thanked Joel for his contributions as it was his last meeting.

7 November 2013

Proposed SACRE dates 2013-14:

13 March 2014

10 July 2014

13 November 2014

7 November 2013

The SACRE dates for 2013-14 were accepted:

13 March 2014

10 July 2014

13 November 2014