Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Craig Fullard, Rebecca Wood, Mark Cooper, Ourmala Devi and Yvonne Fegan.

[To approve the minutes of 28 February 2019 as a correct record]

Resolved:

That the minutes from the meeting of 28 February 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2019.]

Minute 4

Following a query in respect of the Kirpan policy, it was clarified that the policy had been signed off by the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Board. It was also noted that an accompanying ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document was being developed following consultation with Wolverhampton’s Sikh schools. It was anticipated that both documents would be available for the next meeting of SACRE.

[To receive an update from RE Today – to be tabled.]

Angela Hill, representing RE Today, delivered a verbal update on the activities of National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) and National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE).

The update provided Wolverhampton Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) members with a news update on the following:

NATRE Meetings with the Department for Education (DfE)

It was reported that representatives continually met with the DfE to ensure adequate provision of religious education in schools and discuss non-compliance issues. It was reported that the organisation was working closely with the DfE to provide subject knowledge enhancement training courses for secondary trainee teachers.

NASACRE hears from the DfE about school compliance on RE

It was reported that Neil Lawson from the Curriculum Unit of the Department for Education had written to NASACRE Chair, Paul Smalley, setting out the expectations of the government with regards to school compliance in RE. It was noted that a copy of this letter could be viewed online and a link was provided. http://nasacre.org.uk/file/nasacre/1-97-item-2.pdf

National and Regional Ambassadors

A link was provided with the paperwork to give more information on the ambassadors. It was noted that Chris Giles, Regional Ambassador was not a member of SACRE however he had expressed an interest in working with Wolverhampton SACRE and had offered his support. It was agreed that Chris Giles, Regional Ambassador would be invited to the next SACRE meeting to present an item on the National and Regional Ambassadors. It was noted that two years’ worth of funding had been secured for the scheme and further funding was being sought.

BBC Bitesize

It was reported that the RE teaching support and GCSE revision material developed by Lat Blaylock, RE Today had been launched on the BBC Bitesize website. It was noted that the material included quizzes, videos and other content, with further material specifically targeted to Key Stages 3 and 4. It was reported that the launch had been well received by teachers and students and feedback had stated that the content had been useful during lessons. It was noted that all content was free to access and also incorporated material provided by exam awarding bodies OCR and EDUCAS.

The RE All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)

It was reported that, at the January meeting of APPG for RE, NATRE Primary Vice-Chair Katie Freeman provided a verbal account on the positive impact of RE for pupils and how it is delivered in the classroom. This information reached an audience of parliamentarians and guests from various branches of the RE community. Wolverhampton SACRE members were invited to provide any thoughts on this and it was suggested that local MPs be encouraged to engage with schools.

NATRE and Culham St. Gabriel’s

It was reported that NATRE and Culham St Gabriel’s were jointly offering a new 200-hour DfE funded subject knowledge enhancement course. This was designed for new teachers who wanted to teach the subject but didn’t have a degree in theology or other RE related subjects. A link was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

[To receive a verbal update on the Primary Sector Leader Network.]

Charlotte Harding, School Governance and Workforce Coordinator provided a verbal update on the Primary Subject Leader Network 2019 – 2020 and advised that the latest meeting had taken place today. It was reported that the Angela Hill, RE Today had delivered a seminar on the Philosophy of RE Teaching, which had been well received with positive feedback. 

It was noted that 20 schools had purchased the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for the RE Subject Leader Network for the academic year 2018-2019, and ten schools had been purchased the SLA for 2019–2020.

It was reported that the focus for the next year’s Subject Leader Network would be around the new Ofsted Inspection Framework of ‘Intent, Implementation and Impact.’ It was stated that further details had been posted to the SLA Network but plans had been put in place to advertise more widely to encourage better engagement.

Resolved:

That the Primary Subject Leader Network 2019 – 2020 update be received.   

[To discuss RE provision for Secondary Education.]

It was agreed that this item be deferred to the next meeting of Wolverhampton SACRE when a response could be fed back from the letter of escalation as discussed earlier.

Resolved:

That Agenda Item 7 be deferred to the next meeting of Wolverhampton SACRE.

[To approve Provision of Services for 2019 – 2020.]

Charlotte Harding, School Governance and Workforce Co-ordinator provided a verbal update on 2019 – 2020 Provision of Services. It was noted that the 2018 – 2019 contract with RE Today was drawing to a close and members had been provided with an outline of syllabus proposals for 2019 -2020 from RE Today as part of the agenda pack.

It was noted that it had been agreed at the last meeting of Wolverhampton SACRE that a decision would be made following approval of the Council Final Budget Report for 2019 – 2020 budget allocations at the full Council meeting of 6 March 2019. It was reported that this had been approved, therefore the recommendation was for Wolverhampton SACRE to approve the renewal of the contract held with RE Today.

It was noted that the cost of the contract renewal was £6,600 which included:

·         A representative from RE Today to attend the three Wolverhampton SACRE meetings to provide updates and advice to members;

·         Provision of support outside meetings in the form of information and support for schools;

·         Co-ordination of three Primary Network meetings;

·         A review and update of the agreed syllabus which would be tailored to suit Wolverhampton schools and to reflect any changes in the Ofsted framework.

It was noted that the Primary Network events were ticketed with an attached fee for attendees, therefore income generated from this would offset a portion of the spend.

The proposals were thought to be greatly beneficial and it was agreed that the contract would be renewed with RE Today at a cost of £6,600.

Resolved:

That the contract with RE Today be renewed at a cost of £6,600.

[To receive an update on OFSTED findings during the last quarter.]

Charlotte Harding, School Governance and Workforce Coordinator provided an update on the Ofsted finding during the final quarter of the year.

It was reported that West Park Primary School and Dunstall Hill Primary School were rated as ‘Good’ and Penn Fields School as ‘Requires Improvement’. West Park Primary School was particularly commended for its welcoming ethos, inclusivity and the values placed on the rich diversity of pupil cultural backgrounds.

Resolved:

            That the Ofsted findings be noted.

[To receive a presentation of findings from SIAMS and Inspection 48 Visits.]

Charlotte Harding, School Governance and Workforce Co-ordinator provided a verbal update on SIAMS inspections. It was reported that St. Stephen’s Church of England Academy had been visited and rated as ‘Good.’

It was noted that the SIAMS report stated that RE played an important part in celebrating the diversity and richness of the school family by building a sense of respect.

Recommendations for the school from SIAMS were to:

•      Revisit and review the vision and values with the current school family

•      Build on the existing pupil voice activities

•      Further develop worship in school

It was reported that no Inspection 48 visits had taken place since the last meeting.

Resolved:

That the SIAMS inspection findings and recommendations be noted.

It was recalled that at the last meeting of SACRE, Mark Cooper Representative of the Church of England had offered to deliver a presentation on SIAMS and that further consideration would be given to this.

It was agreed that an invitation to a future SACRE meeting would be extended to Chris Giles, Regional Ambassador to talk about NATRE and share ideas.

It was also agreed to invite a representative from the Primary Network to Wolverhampton SACRE to discuss the impact of their experiences.

Resolved:

1.    That Chris Giles, Regional Ambassador for NATRE be invited to a future meeting of Wolverhampton SACRE.

2.    That a representative from the Primary Network be invited to a future meeting of Wolverhampton SACRE.

·       10 October 2019

·       27 February 2020

Future Wolverhampton SACRE meetings for the coming municipal year were confirmed as:

·         10 October 2019

·         27 February 2020