Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 5, Ground Floor - Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Shelley Humphries  Tel: 01902 554070 email:  shelley.humphries@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

It was recognised that the numbers in attendance did not constitute a quorum and any decisions that emerged would be ratified at the next meeting.

 

It was reported that Charlotte Harding, School Governance and Workforce Coordinator had left the Council to pursue a new role. Thanks were noted for her work with City of Wolverhampton SACRE and it was noted that Neil Jarman, Senior School Improvement Advisor would be the interim contact for City of Wolverhampton Council.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Martin Gomberg, Jaswinder Singh Chaggar, Mark Cooper and Akeel Ahmed.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 475 KB

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2019 as a correct record.]

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2019 could not be signed by the Chair on this occasion given that this was an inquorate meeting.

4.

Matters Arising

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2019.]

Minutes:

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

5.

Overview of the NATRE West Midlands Regional Ambassador Role

[To receive a presentation from Chris Giles, Regional NATRE Representative on the purpose of the role and the Primary 1000 Project.]

Minutes:

Chris Giles, NATRE, provided the Overview of the NATRE West Midlands Regional Ambassador Role and an outline of the Primary RE 1000 scheme.

 

It was noted that a two-year membership support package was available for eligible schools which provided tools and digital resources that had been developed to enhance RE learning and engagement. Membership would cost £55 for local schools.

 

It was reported that the Primary Regional RE Conference was to take place on 19 November 2019 at St. Matthew’s C of E Primary School in Birmingham. It was thought to be a good networking opportunity and it was reported that there would be a guest speaker offering an overview of key principles for a successful RE curriculum. It was agreed that the Primary Regional RE Conference be promoted in the Headteacher Bulletin to encourage as many RE teachers as possible to attend.

 

It was also suggested that information on the Primary RE 1000 Project offer be circulated as part of the Headteacher Bulletin. Chris Giles, NATRE offered to write a promotional paragraph to include with the bulletin.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the Primary Regional RE Conference be promoted in the Headteacher Bulletin.

2.    That Chris Giles, NATRE draft a promotional paragraph on the Primary Regional RE Conference and the Primary RE 1000 Project to include with the bulletin.

6.

Membership

[To receive a verbal update on the current City of Wolverhampton SACRE membership.]

Minutes:

It was noted that Rev. Stephen Jackson would soon be retiring. It was suggested that the membership be reviewed at a later date.

7.

Report from Religious Education (RE) Today

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Minutes:

It was noted that a review was due of the RE Syllabus although that didn’t necessarily mean extensive changes. Lat Blaylock, RE Today, offered to draft a refreshed Early Years section of the RE Syllabus. In response to feedback from teachers around a lack of RE material for pupils with special educational needs (SEN), it was suggested that the refreshed syllabus include this.

 

Lat Blaylock stated he would take advice from Ann Chrisman, a notable SEN RE teacher and teacher trainer. It was agreed that the process should begin now so the refreshed syllabus would be available for approval at the next meeting of SACRE. A launch was suggested as this sort of event usually brought RE teachers together for networking.

 

Resolved:

That Lat Blaylock, RE Today provide an updated version of the RE Syllabus with a refreshed Early Years section at a future meeting of City of Wolverhampton SACRE.

8.

Secondary Engagement

[To discuss RE provision for Secondary Education.]

Minutes:

In respect of the concerns over lack of RE engagement in secondary schools, it was suggested that headteachers be approached in person rather than in writing to encourage them to include the legal requirement of RE provision in secondary schools. It was noted that a letter originally drafted on behalf of the Director of Education and Cabinet Member for Education and Skills was to be placed on hold.

 

Lat Blaylock, RE Today agreed that, if the headteachers were all willing to meet, he would be happy to present the case for fulfilling the legal obligations. It was noted that the emphasis would be on ensuring a good level of RE in secondary schools. It was suggested that a question and answer session could be beneficial to draw feedback from headteachers as to why the engagement had been so low.

 

Resolved:

1.    That the letter originally drafted on behalf of the Director of Education and Cabinet Member for Education and Skills was to be placed on hold.

2.    That Lat Blaylock, RE Today engage with secondary school headteachers regarding RE provision.

9.

Ofsted Findings During the Last Quarter

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

Minutes:

Neil Jarman, Senior School Improvement Advisor delivered the presentation on Ofsted Findings During the last Quarter.

 

It was noted that it had been heartening to see improvements at Bilston C of E Primary School and it was considered to be a happy and delightful setting.

 

It was thought that the new headteacher at SS Peter and Paul had made a huge difference and had been rated as ‘Good’.

 

Northern House was commended as supporting the teaching of religious education and was thought to have a pleasant atmosphere.

 

Resolved:

That the Ofsted Findings During the last Quarter be noted.

10.

Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) and Inspection 48 Findings During the Last Quarter

[To receive an update on findings from SIAMS and Inspection 48 Visits.]

Minutes:

Neil Jarman, Senior School Improvement Advisor deliveredthe presentation on SIAMS Inspections and Inspection 48 Findings During the Last Quarter.

 

It was noted that there had not been any Inspection 48 visits during the last quarter.

 

It was reported that St Bartholomew’s Church of England Primary School had been inspected on July 2019 and graded as ‘Excellent’.

 

It had been described as “…a real treasure, significantly extending the mission of Lichfield Diocese. It is deeply Christian and foremost in serving the common good. Behaviour at the school is exemplary and rooted in Christian values of forgiveness and reconciliation. Pupils are excited and challenged by highly effective RE.”

 

Resolved:

That the SIAMS Inspections and Inspection 48 Findings During the Last Quarter be noted.

 

11.

Dates of further meetings

·         5 March 2020

·         21 May 2020

Minutes:

The last meeting of City of Wolverhampton SACRE meetings in the current municipal year was confirmed as:

 

·         5 March 2020

12.

Any other business

Minutes:

It was noted that the copy of the Kirpan Policy circulated with the agenda pack was the approved version with no further amendments requested by legal services. It was requested that the Policy be disseminated to all Wolverhampton schools.

 

Resolved:

That the Kirpan Policy be disseminated to all Wolverhampton schools.