Agenda and minutes

The meeting was opened by Shelley Humphries, Democratic Services Officer as the first item on the agenda was to elect a Chair and Vice Chair for 2023 – 2024. It was noted that the meeting was inquorate and agreed by those present to proceed on an informal basis with any agreed actions being ratified in consultation with members not present.

Resolved:

That the meeting proceed on an informal basis with any agreed actions being ratified in consultation with members not present.

[To elect and appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair of City of Wolverhampton SACRE for Academic Year 2023 – 2024.]

There were no nominations or expressions of interest, therefore it was agreed to defer the item to the next quorate meeting. Those present had no objections to the meeting Clerk being in the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Resolved:

1.    That the meeting proceed with Shelley Humphries, Democratic Services Officer in the Chair.

2.    That the election of Chair and Vice Chair be deferred to the next quorate meeting of City of Wolverhampton SACRE.

[To consider and approve prospective new members of City of Wolverhampton SACRE.]

Following nominations and introductions from prospective members in attendance, it was agreed that the following be appointed as members of City of Wolverhampton SACRE, subject to being ratified in consultation with members not present:

1. Tracey Welsh – Representative of NEU
2. Natalie Wilson-Jones - Representative of NEU
3. Kirsty Holyhead - Representative of NASUWT (not present)
4. Danielle Fannell - Representative of NEU
5. Louisa Craig - Panel TBC (not present)

Prospective members expressed their passion for the subject of RE and their ambition to raise the profile for the subject through City of Wolverhampton SACRE.

Resolved:

That City of Wolverhampton SACRE agree to appoint as members subject to being ratified in consultation with members not present:

1. Tracey Welsh – Representative of NEU
2. Natalie Wilson-Jones - Representative of NEU
3. Kirsty Holyhead - Representative of NASUWT
4. Danielle Fannell - Representative of NEU
5. Louisa Craig – Representative of the Roman Catholic Church

Apologies were received from Jaswinder Singh Chaggar.

Apologies were also received from Alison Hinds, Louisa Craig and Kirsty Holyhead.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting of 15 June 2023 as a correct record.]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of 15 June 2023 be approved subject to ratification at the next quorate meeting.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2023.]

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

[To approve the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report 2022 – 2023 to include a review of the 2022 – 2023 Action Plan and Action Plan for 2023 – 2024.]

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council presented the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report and Action Plan 2022 – 2023 which provided an overview of the work undertaken by City of Wolverhampton SACRE over the last academic year. This also included the Action Plan which outlined the ambitions for the year ahead.

Key priorities and areas of focus for 2023 - 2024 included SACRE membership; Continued professional development for members; Expanded and strengthened offer of support to schools and Completion of the extended Westhill-funded project.

Thanks were extended to all City of Wolverhampton SACRE members and schools.

Resolved:

1. That the City of Wolverhampton SACRE Annual Report 2022 – 2023 be endorsed, subject to ratification at the next quorate meeting.

2.    That the priorities set out in the SACRE Action Plan for academic year 2023 – 2024 be approved, subject to ratification at the next quorate meeting.

[To receive an update report from RE Today.]

Angela Hill, RE Today representative presented the Report from Religious Education (RE) Today and highlighted key areas of interest.

It was noted that there was not currently a humanist representative on SACRE although the Humanist society had been approached previously and a representative had not been available. It was agreed to revisit this to see if circumstances had changed.

Resolved:

That the Humanist Society be approached to nominate a City of Wolverhampton SACRE representative.

[To receive a presentation from the City of Wolverhampton Council Representative outlining ongoing work.]

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 an update on Ofsted findings during the last quarter.]

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council reported on the outcomes of Ofsted inspections since the last meeting. Generally, 11 inspections had taken place in Wolverhampton schools with 10 achieving a ‘Good’ outcome and one remaining adequate.

In respect of RE specifically, it was reported that inspectors had been pleased with the learning about faith and religions through pupil-led work and the depth of understanding around British values.

Resolved:

That Ofsted Findings During the Last Quarter be received.

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

There had been no visits made since the last meeting of City of Wolverhampton SACRE.

• 7 Feb 2024

• 6 June 2024 (tbc)

Laura Jude, Representative for City of Wolverhampton Council reported that in response to a request from the secondary teachers’ network, there were plans to provide all teachers with RE subject specific support to enable all teachers to confidently deliver the subject in schools. Conversations were ongoing with RE Today to develop and tailor a series of webinars to align with the Wolverhampton Locally Agreed Syllabus and Scheme of Work, although final proposals and funding were in draft form.

Members expressed a keen interest in the proposals and agreed it was necessary to bolster the RE offer in schools. It was agreed in principle to pursue the proposals as the next meeting of SACRE was not scheduled until February 2023 which may put pupils in that cohort at a disadvantage. Councillor Jacqui Coogan also offered to advocate at cabinet member briefings.

Resolved:

That it be agreed in principle to progress the proposal to develop the RE Support Offer, subject to ratification of full proposals at the next quorate meeting.