Archived decisions
ITEM 2
AT A MEETING of the STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION held at The Castle, Winchester on 10 February 2004.
PRESENT:
S.W. Juniper (Chairman); H. Benzie; Mrs S. Boothman; D. Bothwell; B. Hay; C. Hughes; Councillor D. Kirk; Mrs J. Lowndes; Councillor Mrs P.G. Peskett; M. Riyami; Ms A. Post; G. Rock; Ms T. Ronane; P. Tipple; Mrs L. Weatherley; Councillor W.H. Wheeler.
Also in attendance :
Mr I. Massey (HIAS Fleet Local Education Office)
55. 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 such interests.
56. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Matters arising:
Minute 42 - Recruitment of RE Teachers
The County Education Officer confirmed that a letter of support had now been sent on behalf of SACRE members in relation to King Alfred's College, Winchester.
57. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported that Jim Graham had now officially resigned as a member of SACRE with immediate effect. The Chairman wished to place on record his appreciation to Jim for the key active role he had played on the Council especially more recently over teacher recruitment and collective worship issues. The Chairman agreed to write and thank Jim formally for his contribution.
The Chairman also referred to the primary news publication which, among other things, informed members about courses being run for RE. Financial implications are currently being investigated but should a budget permit, the Chairman may be able to extend an invitation to any SACRE member who would like to attend a course in an observation capacity. It was hoped that more information would be available at a future meeting.
58. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
59. G.C.S.E. RESULTS 2003
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) concerning the attainment of G.C.S.E results in 2003.
Overall statistics showed that the total number of full course candidates in 2003 had decreased compared with figures of 2002, whereas there was a significant increase in numbers taking the short course over the same period.
The Council were encouraged by the latest figures and statistics and the Chairman requested the Officers and Teachers involved should be congratulated for all their hard work.
RESOLVED :
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That the County Education Officer be asked to convey the Chairman's appreciation for such positive results during 2003.
60. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SACRE
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) concerning the Chairman's attendance at the National Conference in December 2003.
The Chairman reported that the main item on the Agenda was the introduction of a non-statutory national framework for RE within schools and made reference to Appendix 1, which contained more specific details in relation to this framework.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
61. GOVERNING BODIES AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) governing bodies and statutory requirements. The report highlighted that under Ofsted's new inspection framework, governing bodies of schools can now potentially be identified as unsatisfactory because the school does not meet statutory requirements; these include collective worship and RE.
The Council noted the updated publication of Governance (seen as Appendix 1) highlighting the two main factors to be taken in to account as follows:
· Whether non compliance had an impact on pupils achievement, their learning and the teaching the receive, or on their safety and welfare; and
· Whether the governing body has done all it reasonably can to make sure the school meets its statutory duties and were encouraged to learn that Hampshire is currently outperforming its statistical neighbours in relation to standards of achievement overall.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
62. RIGHTS, RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer - Intercultural Education (Item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning the launch of a major initiative focused initially on primary schools in Hampshire.
The initiative sets out to teach children about the UN on the Rights of the Child and aims to encourage each school to base its ethos and Code of Behaviour on the Convention and therefore on the Rights of People, adults and children and the responsibilities that they have to each other. This initiative is unique to Hampshire and is not being conducted in any other part of the country.
The Hampshire project is based on work already undertaken and evaluated in Canada; staff from the University College of Cape Breton have done extensive work in an area suffering the decline of its traditional heavy industries.
Pilot work has already been undertaken in schools in Andover and Eastleigh and, for the majority, involves those schools where the headteacher and/or other teachers were part of the study tour to Cape Breton.
To date early evaluations from the work in Hampshire schools have come to roughly the same conclusions as those to the work in Canada. Early signs show a remarkable change in classrooms where the work has been undertaken.
The Council were encouraged to learn of this project and were keen to receive feedback on progress made.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the report be noted.
(ii) That the County Education Officer be asked to report back to a future meeting on progress and findings made.
63. SACRE MONITORING SUB GROUP
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) concerning the latest findings of the monitoring sub group. At its last meeting in November 2003, Ofsted reports from 17 primary schools were discussed. Members of the group noted that some of the reports written under the new Ofsted inspection framework did not provide sufficient information for monitoring purposes and therefore requested that SACRE authorise the sub groups to draft a letter to Ofsted, noting the groups concerns.
RESOLVED:
(i) That SACRE approves the need to send a letter to Ofsted with a view to the working group reporting back to SACRE in due course.
64. VIRTUAL TOUR OF SYNAGOGUE IN SOUTHSEA
The Council received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) concerning the recent development of a CD Rom highlighting the important features of a synagogue. It was produced with the support of Julius Klein of the Portsmouth Hebrew Congregation for use in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Primary Schools.
The Council watched the CD Rom currently being trialled into primary schools: it will be available for all other schools to purchase from January 2004.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
65. DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2004
To note the dates for the remaining meetings during 2004 as follows :-
Tuesday, 15 June
Tuesday, 2 November
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