Agenda and minutes

Existing and prospective members of SACRE were asked to introduce themselves and state which group they would be representing. Maggie Keeley and Tanya Athwal attended as observers.

Apologies were received from Martin Gomberg, Mark Cooper, Ourmala Devi, Fr. Craig Fullard, Aman Rai and Alison Smith. Vickie Longson attended on behalf of Mark Cooper and it was agreed that Councillor Dr. Michael Hardacre take the Chair in Martin Gomberg’s absence.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 8 October 2020 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 5 March 2020 and 8 October 2020 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2020.]

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

[To receive and provide feedback on the final draft of the 2021-2026 RE

Agreed Syllabus.]

Lat Blaylock, RE Today delivered a presentation and led the discussion on the Draft Wolverhampton 2021 – 2026 RE Agreed Syllabus.

The presentation set out the intentions, structure and content of the Syllabus and the Scheme of Work and it was noted that this year had seen the inclusion of resources for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The syllabus also incorporated Judaism to reflect the growing faith community in Wolverhampton.

It was noted that each religion was visited in turn to allow them to absorb the learning on each one. It was intended to generate interest with a publicised launch once the syllabus was ready to publish. 

It was noted how positive it was that many teachers had engaged with the consultation process for the Syllabus and contributed when they were also still responding to COVID-19 within schools.

The final Draft of the Wolverhampton 2021-2026 RE Agreed Syllabus would be presented at the next meeting of SACRE where a consultation process would take place in order to approve the publication of the document.

Resolved:

1. That the feedback on the Draft Wolverhampton 2021-2026 RE Agreed Syllabus be received.

2.    That the final Draft of the Wolverhampton 2021-2026 RE Agreed Syllabus would be presented during a conference at the next meeting of SACRE for approval to publish.

[Discussion item on the Scheme of Work and to approve SLA funding.]

Lat Blaylock, RE Today delivered a presentation on the Scheme of Work and Service Level Agreement. The presentation provided an overview of the review of the Scheme of Work and outlined the revisions that were required which included incorporating OFSTED’s three learning outcomes; revision and inclusion of updated resources, refreshing learning outcomes to reflect current practice, and including additional input from faith community leaders across the City.

It was noted that the current SACRE budget would not cover the work on the Scheme of Work. It was proposed that Council officers would explore securing additional funding and, subject to agreement from SACRE, would use this to work with RE Today consultants to develop the Scheme of Work.  It was agreed that figures would be discussed with RE Today then at Children’s Services Leadership and finally brought before SACRE members to agree.

Resolved:

1. That costs for developing the Scheme of Work would be discussed with RE Today.

2.    That additional funding be sought to develop the Scheme of Work with RE Today and utilised subject to approval from Wolverhampton SACRE.

[To approve the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Constitution.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council presented the Draft City of Wolverhampton SACRE Constitution for approval. The draft Constitution set out the purpose, conduct and activity of SACRE and it was highlighted that a Humanist Representative would be sought to join the membership and that terms of membership had been refreshed. The document was considered sound and was approved for adoption.

Resolved:

That the Draft City of Wolverhampton SACRE Constitution be approved

[To receive the draft version of the Kirpan Policy for approval.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council presented the Guidance for Schools: Wearing of the Kirpan - Draft Policy for approval. It was noted that it had been refreshed following consultation feedback from a Sikh headteacher and a Safeguarding advisor form the Authority.

The refresh also included the addition that the school’s preference would be that the Kirpan was not worn during physical or outdoor activities for safety reasons.

In order to satisfy this, guidance was included on providing appropriate storage which respected the kirpan as an article of faith and ensured that the kirpan could be safely kept close by the wearer in accordance with maryada. The item could be collected following the end of the lesson.

Resolved:

That the Guidance for Schools: Wearing of the Kirpan - Draft Policy be approved.

[To receive an update on membership as outlined in the Annual Report 2019 – 2020.]

Following voting, it was agreed that Maggie Keeley and Tanya Athwal be appointed to City of Wolverhampton SACRE as new members.

Resolved:

That Maggie Keeley and Tanya Athwal be appointed to SACRE to as new members.

[To receive an update from the Local Authority.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council provided a summary of the items discussed earlier in the meeting.

Resolved:

That the Local Authority Update be noted.

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Lat Blaylock, RE Today presented the Autumn report from RE Today and highlighted salient points.

The Spiritual Arts competition had come to a close which had proved a popular activity during lockdown and had attracted record numbers of entries. The themes had been set for the coming year and the closing date for entries was July 2021.

Conversations had been ongoing around continuation of teaching RE during lockdown periods. It had been agreed that a focus was needed on maths and English however it had been acknowledged that RE included elements of wellbeing, spiritual and social teaching and was still an important subject.

It was highlighted that Eid ul Fitr would occur in early May next year, which may present problems for students who were fasting during the examination period. Phil Leivers, Head of Service Educational Excellence reported that this had been flagged and the Local Authority had raised concerns with the DfE regarding timings of SAT exams and the impact this may have on the children in Wolverhampton’s Muslim communities. No action had been agreed as yet, but an update would be provided at the next meeting. Akeel Ahmed, Representative of the Muslim Community thanked the Authority on behalf of the Muslim community for this consideration. Attention was drawn to the fact that older students would also be studying for GCSEs around this time and to be mindful of this.

Resolved:

That the Report from RE Today be received.

[To discuss RE provision for Secondary Education.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council provided a brief verbal update advising members of SACRE that the pandemic had placed a lot of pressure on schools, however hosting virtual meetings with schools to encourage engagement in RE was still a priority and schools would be approached early in the new year.

Resolved:

That the update on Secondary Education be noted.

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

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

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

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

The Chair wished all a safe and happy holiday season.

11 March 2021

20 May 2021

• 11 March 2021

·       20 May 2021