Archived decisions

ITEM 1

AT A MEETING of the STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 18 June 2002.

PRESENT:

S.W. Juniper (Chairman); C. Benton; H. Benzie; Miss C. Boothman; J. Graham; B. Hay; Miss N. Horrigan; C. Hughes; J. Klein; Mrs J. Lowndes; Mrs J. Murrell; Mrs P.G. Peskett; Mrs M. Post; Rev. G. Rock; Mrs T. Ronane; Mrs S. Thatcher; Mr N. Utton; Mrs L. Weatherley.

15. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising:

Minute 7 - Teacher Recruitment in RE.

In view of continuing problems with the recruitment of RE teachers, SACRE endorsed the following programme of action suggested;

    · Continue to campaign and raise profile through national bodies

    · Develop links and contacts with the newly established PGCE course for RE teachers being run by Southampton University; with details of the course to be promulgated via the Faith Communities represented on SACRE; and course tutor to be invited to attend a future SACRE meeting.

    · Investigate the possibility of courses, being developed to enable serving teachers to switch from other subjects to religious education.

    · Discussion with the Winchester Diocese and King Alfred's College on their potential role in training RE teachers.

    The County Education Officer circulated correspondence between the Chairman of SACRE and the Chief Executive of the Teacher Training Agency on the supply and training of RE teachers.

    Minute 12 - SACRE Monitoring Sub-Group

    Members felt that the remit of the Sub-Group could be broadened so that, in addition to reviewing data on Religious Education in Schools, it also identified those areas where there was most scope for schools to improve the content, quality and standards of RE education, as a means to provide preliminary details to inform the review of the Agreed Syllabus. SACRE agreed a revised membership for the

    Sub-Group, to comprise Mr Benzie, Miss Horrigan, Mr Hughes, Rev. Rock and Mrs Weatherley.

16. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed the two guest speakers, Angela Smith and Jennie Tarbox; and also referred to the fact that this would be Alan Brine's last meeting of SACRE. He was congratulated on his new appointment and thanked for his contribution to SACRE's work.

17. HMCI ANNUAL REPORT 2000/2001

SACRE considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on HMCI's Annual Report 2001. Findings were generally positive in the area of primary schools, but rather disappointing in secondary schools. Members felt that the development of the new Agreed Syllabus during 2003 would provide the opportunity to focus RE by including more active, problem-solving and challenging tasks which would engage children's interest. Such an approach was more likely to lead to improvements in the quality and standards of teaching and learning in RE.

      RESOLVED:

      That the HMCI Annual Report 2000/01 be noted.

18. HIAS RE TEAM

SACRE received and noted a report of the County Education Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the future of the RE team following the appointment of the current County General Inspector of RE, Alan Brine, to the post of HMI. It was accepted that a schedule setting out a timetable for the Agreed Syllabus revision would in the circumstances be brought to a future meeting of SACRE following the appointment of Alan Brine's successor.

19. RE SHORT COURSE GCSE PROJECT

SACRE considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the draft conclusions of the research project in to short course GCSE provision in RE. They received a presentation on the subject from Angela Smith (Crookhorn School), who explained the basis of her research and its findings, which would be widely publicised both in Hampshire and nationally. Members received and noted the report with interest.

20. NON-STATUTORY NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR RE

SACRE considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the non-statutory national framework for RE currently being considered by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Whilst some Members expressed concerns that such a framework might lead to more centralisation and a diminution of the role of SACREs, most felt that it would represent non-statutory guidance which would still leave flexibility for SACREs to reflect local aspirations. A national framework might also help in the review of the Agreed Syllabus during the coming year. Members felt however that it was essential for there to be full consultation and adequate time to comment.

It was noted that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's proposals were now with the DfES and their view was awaited.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that, when and if the non-statutory framework for RE is published, QCA be urged to provide proper opportunities for consultation and enough time for SACREs and other interested parties to comment.

21. NASACRE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2002

SACRE received and noted a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the 2002 Annual General meeting of NASACRE. A copy of the NASACRE newsletter was circulated. Attention was drawn to the need for local ideas on how to improve recruitment of RE teachers; and also to the commendation for the Hampshire RE project from the Saltley Trust.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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Following the conclusion of the formal meeting, SACRE received an interesting and informative presentation from Jennie Tarbox (Saxon Wood School, Basingstoke) on RE teaching in special schools.

8SM02602