Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the main meeting there was a short presentation by Chris Anders, the Head Teacher of Park Community School, Havant.  His talk focussed on the challenges to school, particularly for schools, like Park, which are in deprived areas, where the new GCSEs and Progress 8 make it more difficult for these schools to improve standards.  He hoped that the new Ofsted framework would look more at the curriculum in the wider school context. Members had the opportunity to ask questions.

The Chairman thanked Chris Anders for his presentation.

The Chairman announced that the press and members of the public were permitted to film and broadcast the meeting.  Those remaining at the meeting were consenting to being filmed and recorded, and to the possible use of those images and recording for broadcasting purposes.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Rhiannon Love, Alasdair Richardson, Graeme Rowe, Patricia Timms Blanch, Pam Brown, Sushma Sahajpal.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Elizabeth Jenkerson noted that she was a judge for the Westhill Awards.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting 6 November 2018.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 6 November 2018 were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the addition of Danny Habel as present at the meeting.

To consider any matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting on 6 November 2018.

Members were given updates on a number of matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

Item 57 (page 6): Members were informed that the Annual Survey results would be discussed at the summer meeting of SACRE.

Item 57 (page 7): The Chairman informed Members that she was awaiting a response to her email from MP Damien Hinds regarding a possible visit.

Item 59 (page 9) Recommendation 1.2 :  There had been some correspondence with Ofsted in regard to taking the Locally Agreed Syllabus into account in their judgements, but this was still ongoing.  It was agreed that Ofsted has quite a job coming to a local area to do an inspection, but the new framework has the intention of having a more in depth look at a few subjects as part of the process.  It was felt that SACREs may be able to provide some help and guidance in relation to the Locally Agreed Syllabus  and it was suggested that this should be discussed at the next South Central Hub meeting.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.    That SACRE requested the Professional Advisers and the Chairman should contact the Regional Schools Commission with regard to providing Ofsted Inspectors with training on the Agreed Syllabus.

2.    That SACRE requested that the South Central SACRE hub is asked to initiate a South East regional meeting of SACRE chairs to consider common aspects of their Agreed Syllabuses as well as distinctive elements.

To receive any Chairman’s announcements.

The Chairman began by welcoming Councillor Irish to his first meeting.

She congratulated Sheikh Fazle Abbas for being recognised as the Most Impactful Imam at the 2018 British Beacon Mosques awards event. This was in recognition of his work in raising awareness about Islam as a peaceful religion, as well as reaching out to various communities to enhance share common goals.

It was noted that two SACRE Members, Lisa-Marie Taylor and Heather Thorpe-Tracey had attended the South West SACRE Conference in Somerset.   Lisa-Marie told Members that it had been her first time and found the experience thought-provoking, with excellent speakers and brilliant workshops.

Members were informed that the Annual NASACRE Conference would be held on 22 May in Manchester and that as usual two spaces were available for anyone who would like to go.

To receive any deputations.

There were no deputations.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services informing members of recent changes in the membership of SACRE.

The Council received a report from Patricia Hannam, the County Inspector/Adviser informing Members that Councillor Wayne Irish was replacing Councillor David Simpson on Group D and that Richard Wharton was stepping down from Group B with Sue Bowen becoming a full representative.

RECOMMENDATION:

That SACRE welcomed Councillor Irish and Sue Bowen.

To consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the activities and discussions of the monitoring group in relation to monitoring the effectiveness of the Agreed Syllabus Living Difference III across Hampshire.

SACRE considered a report from Patricia Hannam, County Inspector/Adviser, on the discussions of the Monitoring Group at their meeting on  28 January 2019.

Members were informed that the Monitoring Group had discussed the 2018 RS GCSE results and concerns had been raised about the dramatic fall in the number of entries, which was felt to be largely due to schools focussing on the EBacc. It was highlighted that 11 schools that entered almost all of their cohort accounted for about two thirds of all entries. Overall the results had been pleasing. Further concerns were expressed about how HIAS is working with schools to ensure that all students study  RE in KS4 even if they are not doing the GCSE.

Members were made aware that the large gender gap had re-emerged.  It was suggested that the new GCSE required more subject knowledge and fast writing;  whereas previously there were more themed issues which boys engaged with.  It was noted that it was a national issue, not a local one.  There was discussion about how children are guided to choose their GCSEs and whether the timetabling of subjects has an impact.  It was proposed that SACRE should examine what motivates children’s choice to do RS, particularly boys, and whether they would make the same choice again; it was felt that doing this just before they leave would be the best time.  Patricia Hannam suggested that she could approach the two most commonly used examination boards to ask them to look at this issue.

Justine Ball, the Primary Adviser, indicated an amendment to paragraph 3.3 of the report, that the infant guidance pack for Understanding Christianity had been written, but would be published shortly.

On behalf of the Monitoring Group the Chairman had contacted the Assistant Director for Education and Inclusion to ask what training SIM (School Improvement Managers and LLP (Lead Learning Partners) had on the Locally Agreed Syllabus.  It was confirmed that currently there is none. Inspectors are taking a greater view of the whole curriculum, but in only a half day annual review it is difficult to pick up problem.  The two inspector/advisers will have the opportunity to speak about the Agreed Syllabus to the other inspectors.

Patricia Hannam updated Members on the Religious Literacy Research Project informing them of the launch on 4 June 2019 of its Report.  

Members were informed that there was a reliable supply of good new RE teachers from Winchester University, with good recruitment, partly due to the re-instatement of the bursary.  More of a problem was that there were fewer RE positions in school.  Monitoring visits had also highlighted a reduction in the funding available for professional development; creative ways to ensure that teachers have access to Agreed Syllabus training was discussed.

Patricia Hannam invited comments on a proposal to monitor more schools than currently; that the money for monitoring visits could be used more intelligently and creatively by inviting five schools at a time to meet with the advisers.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive a verbal report from the Director of Children’s Services on the findings of the time-limited group which was convened to discuss the findings of the final report of The Commission on RE and other events that have transpired following the publication of the report.

SACRE considered a verbal report from Justine Ball, the County Inspector/Adviser on the findings of the group convened to discuss the finding of the final report of the Commission on RE. (item 9 in the Minute Book)

Members were informed that the group had met in December 2018 to look at the final report, the Education Secretary’s letter and the response of the RE Commission.  The  group had felt that the proposed name change to Religion and Worldviews could be a positive, but the title would need further clarification .  It was agreed that the National Entitlement was useful, particularly for those areas with little RE and to ensure some parity across the country; also that Living Difference III would work well with this and it was hoped that it would still be able to be used.  Concerns were raised over who would produce schemes of work, since few teachers were involved with the Commission.

The group felt strongly that SACREs and Agreed Syllabus Conferences should continue rather than the proposed advisory bodies. They would not be a good way forward as the composition was unspecified and there appeared to be no statutory duty related to them. The inclusion of governors as people to be involved was welcomed and it was suggested that SACRE should investigate co-opting a governor representative.  As the Commission had not looked at Collective Worship,  SACREs would need to continue. 

The inclusion of CPD and reintroduction of bursaries was welcomed. It was felt that strengthening the status of RE should be done now within the current system.  There was disappointment in the acceptance of withdrawal from the Commission and a requirement only to look at selective withdrawal.

Following the publication of the Secretary of State for Education’s letter that there would be no legislative change at the current time and the RE Council response, it was felt that no further meetings and discussions would be appropriate at this time. It was noted that NASACRE would very likely be undertaking an audit of all SACREs in the near future.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.    That SACRE thanked the group for their discussions and noted the report.

2.    That SACRE should invite a member of the School Governor Forum or Governor Services to be a co-opted onto SACRE.

To receive a report on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the proposals for the new Ofsted Inspection framework from September 2019 and its likely impact on RE.

SACRE considered a report from Patricia Hannam, County Inspector/Adviser on the New Ofsted Framework and Handbook (item 10 in the Minute Book).

Patricia Hannam gave a brief introduction to the new Ofsted framework and how it might affect inspections.  It was noted positively that RE is mentioned in the document and with the introduction of in-depth subject inspections that RE should be looked at in some inspections.  It was noted, however, that with the large number of Locally Agreed Syllabuses inspectors would need assistance from SACREs. 

It was drawn to Members’ attention that in the criteria for a ‘good’ school RE is missing  and that there appears to be an emphasis on the EBacc in the way a school is to be judged, in which RE is not included (page 41 of the report).  The omission from the proposed Handbook of the existing appendix which details what is expected in RE in each type of school was highlighted and it was agreed that this should be reinstated.   The criteria also mention the need for a curriculum which provides pupils with the ‘cultural capital’ to succeed; this was felt to be an ambiguous term which needed further clarification.

It was also observed that the section on the inspection of religious education and collective worship is concerned with faith schools, and whilst important, does not include other schools (page 13 of the draft framework).

It was agreed that a group of Members should meet to formulate a response to the consultation on behalf of SACRE based on discussions and all Members  were encouraged to make a personal response.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.That SACRE noted the report and raised concerns about how RE is mentioned in the new Ofsted Framework.

2. That a small group of SACRE members should meet on 7 March to formulate a response to the new Ofsted framework proposals on behalf of SACRE based on the discussions of this meeting.

3.  That all SACRE members are encouraged to make their own individual response about the new framework.

To receive a verbal report on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services on the activities of SACRE Youth Voice since the SACRE meeting on 6 November 2018.

The Council received a verbal report from Patricia Hannam, the County Inspector/Adviser on the activities of the Youth Voice since the last SACRE meeting on 6 November 2019.

At their meeting on 27 February the students had discussed the proposed Ofsted new area of ‘Quality of Education’ and the grading criteria for a ‘Good’ judgement and the Annual Youth Voice Conference.

The Annual SACRE Youth Voice Conference would take place on Thursday 11 July and the theme was, ‘How do we know what is right and wrong in society? What might cause it to change?’  Offers from SACRE members to be involved with the conference were sought.

Pat Hannam thanked the Chairman and Elizabeth Jenkerson for their great support for SACRE Youth Voice and indicated that she would welcome other Members joining them.

To receive a verbal report on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services on the activities of the South Central SACRE RE Hub since the SACRE meeting on 6 November 2018.

The Council received a verbal report from Patricia Hannam, the County Inspector/Adviser on the activities of the Hub (Item 12 in the Minute Book). 

It was indicated  that the next meeting of the Hub was on 7 March and would include discussion about the new Ofsted framework.

The Reading and Research Group was scheduled to meet on 14 March and the topic would be the Religious Literacy Project.  The 5 June meeting would be a talk by David Scard on ‘what makes cracking good teaching’.  It was noted that teacher attendance at these meetings was better when the content had a religious input.

To receive any other items of business from Members of SACRE.

Pat Hannam informed Members that the new CEO of the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, Dr Kathryn Wright, would be visiting Hampshire on 4 and 5 June to see the work of SACRE and to attend the launch of the Religious Literacy Research Report.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 25 June 2019 at 2.00pm at a venue to be decided.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 25 June 2019 at 2.00 pm, but the venue was still to be settled.