Archived decisions

                      Item 2

AT A MEETING of the STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 15 June 2004.

PRESENT

S.W. Juniper (Chairman); Ms. M. Allder; H. Benzie; Mrs. S. Boothman; P. Davey;
B. Hay; C. Hughes; J. Klein; Mrs. J. Lowndes; Councillor Mrs. P.G. Peskett; Mrs. A. Post; G. Rock; Ms. T. Ronane; M.A. Sheriff; Ms. L. Smith; Ms. S. Thatcher; P. Tipple;

Mrs. L. Weatherley; Councillor W.H. Wheeler.

66. 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.

Mr. C. Hughes declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 8 (Validating and Disseminating Good Practice in RE).

67. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 February 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

(a) Minute No. 57 - Chairman's Communications

The Chairman reported that SACRE members were able to attend any of the
courses which had been referred to in the primary news publication.
However, first priority would be given to teachers wishing to attend the
courses.

68. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

    (a) New Members

    The Chairman welcomed Maggie Allder and Amek Singh Digpal as new members of the Council.

    (b) Helen Whitbourn

    The Chairman advised members that, as a result of office changes, Helen would no longer be clerking the Council. He said that, on behalf of the Council, he had written thanking her for all the work she had done and included a book token for her.

    RESOLVED:

    That Helen be wished all the very best for the future.

    (c) Mohammed Riyami

    The Chairman reported that Mohammed had been awarded an MBE in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours.

    RESOLVED:

    That Mohammed be congratulated on his award.

69. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

70. NASACRE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Chairman presented a report on his attendance at the NASACRE Annual General Meeting on 24 April 2004 (Item 5 in the Minute Book). He outlined the key issues discussed at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

71. SACRE SELF EVALUATION AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The County Education Officer presented a report on the implementation of a self evaluation plan for SACRE (Item 6 in the Minute Book). He explained the questions which were set out in Appendix 1 to the report. Consideration was given as to how the self evaluation should be undertaken. Hugh Benzie and Peter Davey offered their services to assist with the process. After much discussion it was agreed that the most appropriate way forward was for the County Education Officer to meet with a small group of members to plan the way for carrying out the self evaluation.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman, Hugh Benzie and Peter Davey meet with the County Education Officer to plan the way ahead for self evaluation and report back to the next meeting.

72. SACRE MONITORING SUB GROUP

The County Education Officer presented a report on the recent findings of the Monitoring Sub Group (Item 7 in the Minute Book).


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

73. VALIDATING AND DISSEMINATING GOOD PRACTICE IN R.E.

The County Education Officer presented a report on the successful outcome of funding for the validation and dissemination of good practice within R.E. (Item 8 in the Minute Book). He said that it was intended that good practitioners be brought together in development groups to share their expertise, encourage mutual development and produce materials for dissemination to support the implementation of the new agreed syllabus county-wide.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the proposal of development groups for the implementation of the agreed syllabus be supported.

74. ADVANCED SKILLS TEACHERS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The County Education Officer presented a report on the methods of introducing advanced skills teachers to complement and support the work of subject inspectors (Item 9 in the Minute Book). Advanced skills teachers would assist with inreach teaching by advising and assisting R.E. teachers within their own school and similarly with outreach teaching at other schools. Following questions the County Education Officer explained how advanced skills teachers were appointed, the skills required and the consultation that took place between schools for outreach work.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

75. INTERFAITH NETWORK SURVEY

The County Education Officer presented a report on the results obtained from an Interfaith Survey, highlighting interfaith activity within the United Kingdom
(Item 10 in the Minute Book). He said that the survey document was available in the R.E. Centre.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

76. IMPLEMENTING THE AGREED SYLLABUS

The County Education Officer presented a report giving details of the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus (Item 11 in the Minute Book). It was proposed that there be a formal launch of the Agreed Syllabus in the Great Hall on 15 July 2004 to which all SACRE members would be invited, there would be a press release, information would be sent to school governors via the governor service newsletter and there would be courses for leaders.

RESOLVED:

That the arrangements for the launch and implementation of the Agreed Syllabus be supported.

77. NATIONAL NON-STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONSULTATION

The County Education Officer presented a report seeking responses on the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority consultation paper on the National Non-Statutory Framework for Religious Education (Item 12 in the Minute Book). Representatives of SACRE had attended a consultation meeting on 19 May and responses to consultation were required by the end of June. Members were concerned at the lack of specifics, lack of methodology, description of levels and lack of forward thinking contained in the consultation paper and took the view that the Hampshire Agreed Syllabus offered more comprehensive direction to Hampshire teachers and could be recommended to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority as a model.

RESOLVED:

That:-

    (a) The concerns of SACRE on the National Non-Statutory Framework for R.E. consultation be expressed to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and it be suggested that the Hampshire SACRE Agreed Syllabus be used as a model.

    (b) Individuals also write direct to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority expressing their concern.

    (c) Portsmouth and Southampton SACREs be advised of the concerns and their support requested.

78. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

To note that the next meeting was to be held on Tuesday, 2 November 2004.

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