Agenda and minutes

[To elect and appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair of City of Wolverhampton SACRE for Academic Year 2021 - 2022.]

Members of Wolverhampton SACRE were invited to elect a new Chair and Vice Chair of Wolverhampton SACRE.

Following nominations and elections, it was agreed that Martin Gomberg, Representative of the Jewish Community and Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, representative of the Local Authority be elected as Chair and Vice Chair respectively. All members of Wolverhampton SACRE present agreed to these elections. It was also agreed that Janine Wright be welcomed to the membership.

Resolved:

1.    That Martin Gomberg be appointed as Chair of Wolverhampton SACRE.

2.    That Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre be appointed as Vice-Chair of Wolverhampton SACRE.

3.    That Janine Wright be appointed as a member of Wolverhampton SACRE.

Apologies were received from Wolverhampton SACRE member Daniel Lee.

Apologies were also received from Phil Leivers.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 15 July 2021 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meetings of 11 March 2021 and 15 July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2021.]

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

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Lat Blaylock, RE Today presented the report from RE Today and highlighted salient points. The report provided an update on RE related matters over the past few months.

Particular attention was drawn to RE public examinations. GSCE entries had been falling therefore a National Plan to address this had been called for by the Religious Education Council of England and Wales and the National Association of Teachers of RE. SACRE members were invited to consider how this compared in this LA and how this could be addressed. There had been however an increase in students opting to study RE at A level which had been encouraging.

Also noted were events such as Interfaith Week, taking place from 14 -21 November; Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2022 and the annual NATRE Spirited Arts creative competition.

Laura Jude reported that there were new communication platforms for teachers which were being used to share bulletins, resources, etc. It was agreed that the RE report be circulated using this channel.

Resolved:

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

2.    That RE Today report be circulated to teachers in the City.

[To review the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Action Plan 2020 – 2021.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council presented the Review of City of Wolverhampton SACRE Action Plan 2020 – 2021 and highlighted salient points. The report set out progress over the last year and the status of each objective.

The two key areas highlighted were SACRE vacancies and continuing professional development audit. Steps were being taken to fill the vacancies and details of the NASACRE audit would be provided in due course.

The report was commended as a good reflection of a busy year despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

Resolved:

1. That the Review of City of Wolverhampton SACRE Action Plan 2020 – 2021 be approved.

2.    That outcomes from the NASACRE audit would be shared with SACRE members.

[To approve the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report 2020 – 2021.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council presented the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report 2020 – 2021 and highlighted salient points. The report provided a summary of work undertaken by SACRE over 2020 – 2021 and included the Action Plan for 2021 – 2022 which outlined priorities for the coming year.

Particular attention was drawn to the successful delivery of continued professional development (CPD) for teachers and thanks were extended to Lat Blaylock, RE Today for his ongoing support in this.

City of Wolverhampton SACRE members offered feedback on further support they would like to see. It was noted that there were ongoing challenges for primary teachers and support was needed in strengthening subject knowledge. It was reported that only five hours was typically devoted to RE in teacher training and many teachers had felt this was insufficient. There were similar challenges reported in secondary schools and it was also felt that more lessons could be dedicated to applying learning in RE in the context of the wider world view.  

Resolved:

1.    That the progress detailed within City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report 2020 – 2021 be approved.

2.    That the priorities set out in the SACRE Action Plan for academic year 2021 – 2022 be approved.

3.    That the feedback on CPD be noted.

[Discussion item to provide an overview of training opportunities.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council provided a verbal update on the virtual training offer provided by NASACRE, further details of which had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. It was reported that sessions were now being recorded to make them easily accessible at any time. As NASACRE members, it was noted that Wolverhampton SACRE members had full access to all online training opportunities and were encouraged to take these up wherever possible.

Resolved:

That the NASACRE Virtual Training Offer update be noted.

[To receive an update on the progress of the Westhill Project.]

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council provided a verbal update on the progress of the Westhill Project.

It was reported that the bid for funding had been successful, the project planning was in the final stages and awaiting final internal sign-off. Officers had been engaging with secondary schools to gain an understanding of what was currently being taught and what they hoped to achieve with the project.

It was reported that there was one place remaining if another secondary school wished to participate.

Resolved:

That the Westhill Project Update be received.

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

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council reported that there had been some recent inspections however there had not yet been a substantial RE update available.

Resolved:

That the update on Ofsted Findings During the Last Quarter be received.

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

Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council reported that there were some SIAMS inspections due and outcomes would likely be ready for the next meeting of SACRE.

Resolved:

That the update on Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) and Inspection 48 Findings During the Last Quarter be received.

There was no other business.

·        10 March 2022

·        19 May 2022

·       10 March 2022

·       19 May 2022