Agenda item

To provide feedback on where members believe the Bracknell Forest SACRE sits in terms of Section 1 of the NASACRE SEF.

Anne Andrews, Oxford Diocese Advisor introduced the item. NASACRE had put together a tool for SACRE’s to do as a regular self-assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. Bracknell Forest SACRE had completed the previous incarnation of this document around five years prior. It was put forward that a section of the document should be considered in each SACRE meeting to provide an on-going picture of Bracknell Forest SACRE’s strengths and weaknesses.

Section 1 was considered by representatives. It asks the following:

“How far does the SACRE’s partnership with the LA enable it to carry out its responsibilities effectively?”

It was suggested that the criteria found within the document would give an indication of what Bracknell Forest SACRE would be required to do in the future in order to obtain a higher score in this area.

It was highlighted that Bracknell Forest SACRE was at the time quorate more often than it had been in the past.

During a period of general discussion, the following points were noted:

·        It would be preferred to consider sections collectively rather than individually.

·        There was a consensus in answering criteria 1(a), that BF SACRE was ‘established’. It was suggested that elements of BF SACRE were more advanced in that, for example, a strategic plan was in place. However, it was noted that there was a lack of funds available to be ‘really strategic’. Also, BF SACRE was not at the time linked to other local work and projects.

·        In answering 1(b) the consensus was that BF SACRE was, again, ‘established’ but with some elements of advanced. Meetings had been well attended by all four committees and agendas and papers were regularly distributed well in advance and representatives had time to consider them. Although the group did at the time move beyond routine matters to consider wider issues about the quality of RE and collective worship, there was a suggestion that because the group did not get far enough beyond them to be considered advanced at that time.

·        In answering 1(c) the consensus was that BF SACRE was a combination of two or three levels. It was suggested that work was required in this area. New members were not regularly given induction training. Induction training through the HUB rather than through individual SACRE’s was to be explored. The SACRE was, however, more diverse at the time than it had been in the past. There was also a suggestion that SACRE was co-opting appropriately.

·        In answering 1(d) there was a consensus that BF SACRE was ‘established’ with a strong element of advanced. A development plan was in place and was reviewed regularly. It was being updated more than annually and was giving the group a direct focus. A representative of BF SACRE was present at almost all national events.

·        In answering 1(e) the consensus was that BF SACRE was ‘established’ with some areas of advanced. The suggestion was that the SACRE fell short of full advanced because the group did not receive detailed and well-analysed information about the quality and provision for RE and collective worship.

·        In answering 1(f) it was felt that BF SACRE was in roughly the same area as it was in respect of 1(e). The group was well informed about other key stakeholders supporting RE, many BF SACRE members were being supported at a national level by their respective sponsoring bodies and many members were taking up the training opportunities on offer.

·        A desire was expressed to hear more from pupils and students of all faith backgrounds across the borough. It was mentioned that, were the group to be able to meet in a school in the future, it would be good to hear from students at that meeting.

·        In answering 1(g) it was mentioned that because the group was academy/local authority blind in the way it interacted with schools, the group was performing well.

·        Every school in Bracknell Forest could choose to come to the RE Network free of charge.