Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Janine Wright.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 9 March 2023 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 9 March 2023 as a correct record be approved, subject to ratification by consultation with Board members not present.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023.]

There were no matters arising from the minutes from the last meeting,

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Lat Blaylock, RE Today presented the Report from Religious Education (RE) Today and highlighted key areas of interest.

It was reported that Ofsted had appointed an acting RE subject lead, Hazel Henson, and the Spirited Arts competition themes had been announced for this year.

It was announced that online RE Hubs had been launched as a platform to share subject resources and connect RE professionals.

A call was made for participation in the NATRE Secondary Teachers’ Survey in order to gather data on how the subject was taught in schools.

The report also provided links to and information on a number of other resources and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities available to teachers.

Resolved:

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

[To receive updates from the Local Authority.]

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council delivered the Local Authority Updates presentation which provided information updates on projects previously discussed at SACRE.

[To receive proposals on the process for agreeing in-year funding allocations and payments.]

The Chair reported that, following points raised at the last meeting around agreeing invoice payments, conversations had taken place between colleagues in Education Excellence and Democratic Services and the recommendation has been made to pass delegation to the Authority, with approval from City of Wolverhampton SACRE. This would mean details of financials would still be included in the annual SACRE Action Plan, with any in-year financial decisions made internally and reported back to SACRE via the City of Wolverhampton Council representative, Laura Jude. This was intended to avoid delays in payment of any invoices for work undertaken or funding allocations.

Resolved:

That the proposal to delegate financial decisions to the Local Authority be approved, subject to ratification by consultation with SACRE Board members not present.

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

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council reported on the Cross Phase Conference scheduled for 29 June 2023 which was planned to school pupils from the different faith communities of Wolverhampton and those with non-religious beliefs, to study issues from different religious perspectives about fairness, justice for all, tolerance and respect.

The Chair commended the work undertaken and it was felt that the event was good value for money in terms of CPD.

Resolved:

That the Westhill Project Update be received.

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

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council reported that nine inspection reports had been published with 89% of schools rated as Good or Outstanding which included positive comments about schools in Wolverhampton:

•       Celebration of festivals

•       Parental involvement

•       Respect and diversity

Resolved:

That the Ofsted Findings During the Last Quarter be received.

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

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council reported on the SIAMS inspections that had taken place between March and May 2023. Pendeford St Paul’s had received a Good rating overall with ‘Requires Improvement for RE, however assurances were offered that support was in place. It was queried whether a nominated representative from the Diocese could attend to present the SIAMs report. Laura Jude offered to investigate this.

In answer to a query around the syllabus it was noted that Catholic schools used their own and it was uncommon for SACREs to take reports from the Catholic Diocese.

Resolved:

That Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council reach out to the Lichfield Diocese for a representative to present the SIAMs report, subject to ratification by consultation with SACRE Board members not present.

• 19 Oct 2023
• 7 Feb 2024

·       6 June 2024 (tbc)

Councillor Chris Burden, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council raised the point that positive Ofsted inspections were often publicised to celebrate schools’ successes and suggested that perhaps positive SIAMs and Section 48 inspections could be publicised in the same way. It was agreed for Laura Jude to raise this with Paul Brown, Communications Manager and report back to SACRE.

Resolved:

That Laura Jude, Representative of City of Wolverhampton Council liaise with Paul Brown, Communications Manager to explore publicising positive SIAMS and Section 48 inspection reports in the same way Ofsted reports are publicised (subject to ratification by consultation with SACRE Board members not present).