Agenda and minutes

Venue: MS Teams

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

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

It was noted that the meeting was inquorate however it was agreed to continue on an informal basis and acknowledged that any decisions would need to be ratified at the next quorate meeting.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies were received from City of Wolverhampton SACRE members Rebecca Wood, Alison Smith and Reverend Stephen Jackson.

 

Apologies were also received from Phil Leivers.  

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 318 KB

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 11 March 2021 as a correct record.]

Minutes:

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 11 March 2021 be approved as a correct record, subject to approval at the next quorate meeting.

4.

Matters Arising

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2021.]

Minutes:

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

5.

Local Authority Updates

[To receive a verbal update from the Local Authority covering:

Minutes:

Laura Jude, Representative of Wolverhampton delivered a verbal presentation on updates from the Local Authority.

6.

Update on the NASACRE Conference

Minutes:

It was reported that a Data Workshop had taken place to discuss how data was used and how to bring about positive change. It was noted that the resources provided during the workshop had been very useful. Thanks were extended to those who attended and resources would be circulated to the rest of the membership.

 

Resolved:

That NASACRE Data Workshop resources would be shared with SACRE membership.

7.

Westhill/NASACRE Funding Bid Update

Minutes:

It was reported that the bid for the Westhill funding had been successful and thanks were extended to Lat Blaylock for his support in making the bid application. A student-led project was planned to develop high quality learning resources to raise understanding and awareness of diversity, racial equality and an open worldview. This fitted well with the revised Locally Agreed Syllabus and the goal to ensure the diversity of the City of Wolverhampton was positively reflected. This also formed part of the wider plan to strengthen and encourage secondary school engagement in RE with the aim of increasing support for more learners to move into RE studies at a higher level.

 

An encouraging number of local schools had expressed an interest already and Following recent school visits as part of the engagement process, it had emerged already that there was an appetite amongst students and teaching staff to broaden the curriculum to become more inclusive. A conference has also been planned for the Autumn term and members were advised that further information would be circulated soon. Members were also invited to make contact via Democratic Services if they wished to participate.

7a

Launch of the Wolverhampton RE Syllabus

Minutes:

It was reported that the live launch event of 11 June had been a success with representatives from over 60 schools in attendance, which accounted for over half the schools in the City. There had been great interest expressed from non-maintained schools which was really positive. The pre-production copy of the new Syllabus was available now to download for use and the fully illustrated hard copy would follow in September accompanied by an implementation event on 21 September 2021. The main feature of the syllabus was that there were more resources included to support non-specialist teachers in delivering RE in schools and the event sought to strengthen this support further. 

7b

Supporting RE in Schools – Academic Year: 2021 - 2022.

Minutes:

It was felt that the education service had achieved much of what had been set out in the Action Plan in terms of RE development; in addition to the new syllabus there had been more development opportunities for teachers and schools. There had also a great deal of work being undertaken by Lat Blaylock on revising the Scheme of Work and so far information had been well received by schools. Specialist working group sessions had been planned for the Autumn Term for Secondary, Primary and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) respectively.

 

Thanks were extended to all who had contributed as a great deal of work had been undertaken so far.

 

Resolved:

That the Local Authority Updates be noted.

8.

Report from Religious Education (RE) Today pdf icon PDF 755 KB

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Minutes:

Lat Blaylock, RE Today presented the report from RE Today and highlighted salient points as well as providing a brief verbal update on the progress of the Agreed Syllabus and Scheme of Work. The report provided an update on RE related matters over the past few months.

 

It was reported that the Wolverhampton agreed syllabus had been well-received however it was acknowledged that the Scheme of Work was even more eagerly anticipated by teachers. Thanks were extended to Phil Leivers and his team for securing funding to enable the revision on the Scheme of Work to take place. 36 units of work were currently under development with additional material for Key Stage 3 compared to previous years. A good deal of progress had been made and it was projected that a draft version of all 36 would be available by September 2021. The content was very specific and included exercises, discussion prompters, suggested viewing material and resources to support lesson planning. It was planned for teachers to review the units as part of the aforementioned working group sessions to gain valuable feedback prior to final publication.  

 

Particular attention was drawn to the publication of the OFSTED review on religious education, a link to which was provided within the report along with a summary of the content of the review. It was noted that as OFSTED inspections began to resume following the lifting of restrictions, extra attention would likely be on RE practice in schools. Assurances were offered as it was felt that the recommendations summarised in the report had been satisfied in the revised version of Wolverhampton’s RE Syllabus.

 

In terms of the item on the NASACRE report on SACRE funding, it was noted that Wolverhampton was among the top third of SACREs that were well-funded which was positive.

 

Other items included the Spirited Arts competition, the launch of the Humanist Heritage website and a number of other announcements which may be of interest to members. Members were invited to forward any questions or comments on any of the items included.

 

Resolved:

That the Report from Religious Education (RE) Today be received.

9.

Ofsted Findings During the Last Quarter

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

Minutes:

There had been no visits undertaken since the last meeting of SACRE.

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:

There had been no visits undertaken since the last meeting of SACRE.

11.

Any other business

Minutes:

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work wished to express his thanks for the hard work of members of City of Wolverhampton SACRE, Lat Blaylock and City of Wolverhampton Council officers to ensure a successful year. He also wished to acknowledge the contributions and excellent work of the Chair.

 

The Chair also commended the work of the local authority in progressing agreed actions and the efficiency of the virtual meeting format.

12.

Dates of further meetings

·       7 October 2021

·       10 March 2022

·       19 May 2022

Minutes:

  • 7 October 2021
  • 10 March 2022

·       19 May 2022