Archived decisions

                      ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION held at The Castle, Winchester on 11 February 2003.

PRESENT:

S.W. Juniper (Chairman); Ms E. Bellchambers; C. Benton; H. Benzie; Mrs S. Boothman; D. Bothwell; J. Graham; B. Hay; C. Hughes; J. Klein; M. Riyami; Mrs S. Thatcher; P. Tipple; Rev. J. Turpin; N. Utton; Councillor W.H. Wheeler.

Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education, was also present.

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

No members of SACRE declared any interests.

27. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

28. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported the resignation from SACRE of Jenny Murrell, who had left Hampshire to take up a new post in a Berkshire school. The Chairman agreed that he would write to thank her for her contribution to SACRE's work. The Chairman went on to welcome Clive Erricker to his first meeting of SACRE since his appointment as County General Inspector (RE).

The Chairman referred to recent correspondence between Councillor Allen as Executive Member for Education and Charles Clarke MP, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, on the subject of the statutory act of collective worship in schools. A copy of the relevant letters appears as Item 3 in the Minute Book). Councillor Allen explained the basis on which he had written to the new Secretary of State - as many schools were unable to comply with the statutory requirement for a daily act of collective worship, concern was being expressed by governors that they were unable to fulfil their responsibilities under the law as currently formulated. He felt that the Secretary of State's response showed that he had an open mind on the subject and was prepared to see a diverse range of gatherings and assemblies in schools which would include reflection on ethical, spiritual and religious issues. Flexibility rather than legislative change appeared to be the way forward. SACRE members endorsed this general approach and the initiative taken by the Executive Member for Education. In the longer term it was likely that the Secretary of State would conduct a more fundamental review of issues such as collective worship and the curriculum for religious education.

29. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations notified.

30. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF RE TEACHERS

The Council considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the work of the sub-group. A further report entitled "The Crisis in the Recruitment and Retention of RE Teachers" was circulated at the meeting and a copy appears as Item 5A in the Minute Book. Among the initiatives which the Council considered might improve recruitment and retention of RE teachers were:

      · Press for RE to have "shortage subject" status.

      · Make optimum use of advanced skills teachers in the field of RE.

      · Raise the profile of RE by having a clear statement as to why it is important in all phases of education - primary, secondary and further.

      · Encourage more universities/higher education institutions to provide PGCE courses for religious education teachers, notably Southampton University/
      Chichester/Reading University and possibly colleges in Hampshire.

      · The Learning and Skills Council needs to be encouraged to make adequate provision for RE courses in sixth form colleges.

      · Development of better links between RE in primary, secondary and further education.

      · A wider range of courses to be available at different levels to engage pupils' interest in RE as an examination subject.

      · Possible broadening of the syllabus to cover ethical as well as religious issues.

      The Sub-Group at their next meeting would be concentrating on retention of RE teachers and ways of breaking the vicious circle whereby RE was perceived to be a low profile subject, with small departments in schools, and consequently not so attractive as a career prospect for teachers as other subjects.

      RESOLVED:

      That SACRE notes the report with interest and asks the Sub-Group to give further consideration to the aspects of RE set out above.

31. GCSE RESULTS

The Council considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which set out details of performance by candidates in the long course and short course GCSEs in religious education. It was noteworthy that in both courses there was an increase in pupil numbers taking RE, and that girls performed better than boys.

RESOLVED:

That SACRE notes the report on GCSE results.

32. QUALIFICATIONS AND CURRICULUM AUTHORITY (QCA) SACRE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Council considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the recent SACRE conference which had been attended by their Chairman and the County RE Inspector. It was noted that in future arrangements would be made for SACREs to be inspected as part of the LEA inspection process. It was agreed that SACRE should conduct a self-evaluation against published national criteria.

Members expressed some concerns at incidents of racism and religious prejudice which were occurring in schools, perhaps as a reaction to the current world situation, terrorism and the prospect of hostilities in Iraq.

RESOLVED:

      (i) That the report be noted and that SACRE undertake a self-evaluation of its effectiveness.

      (ii) That the County Education Officer be requested to send to schools appropriate guidance on how to deal with any racial or religious implications of the current international situation, particularly terrorism and the prospect of hostilities in Iraq, both at present and in the light of any future escalation.

33. RE CENTRE

The Council considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the recent activities at the RE Centre. A new Administrative Officer had been appointed following the departure of Anne Bell.

RESOLVED:

That SACRE note the report and that a letter be written to Anne Bell to thank her for the contribution she has made to the RE Centre during her time there.

34. SACRE MONITORING SUB-GROUP

The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the work of the Sub-Group. Action was being taken to develop religious education in those schools where weaknesses had been identified.

RESOLVED:

That SACRE notes the report of the Sub-Group.

35. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

    · Self-evaluation of SACRE's effectiveness.

    · Guidance to schools on racial/religious incidents resulting from the Iraq/
    terrorism situation.

    · Review of the Agreed Syllabus.

    · Recruitment/retention of RE teachers.

36. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the date of the next SACRE meeting would be Tuesday
17 June 2003 beginning at 2.00 p.m.

8SM050203