Archived decisions

Contact: Clive Erricker - County Inspector - RE (02392 441459)

1. Summary

1.1 A number of SACREs in other authorities have embarked upon self evaluation in order to assess their effectiveness and to inform their development plans.

1.2 In order to provide guidance on self evaluation, Ofsted have provided criteria (Appendix 1).

1.3 A SACRE development plan was drawn up in 1998/99 by the County Inspector at the time, Alan Brine. (Appendix 2).

1.4 The majority of the proposals in the development plan have been actioned, but some require revisiting. (See Appendix 2 item 4 `Future Plans').

1.5 SACRE's approval of a new agreed syllabus constitutes an appropriate time for SACRE to conduct a self evaluation and consider how a development plan can ensure the effective implementation of the new agreed syllabus `Living Difference'.

Recommendation

That SACRE carries out a self evaluation that includes consideration of a development plan to ensure the effective implementation of the new agreed syllabus.

Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an informal part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act

3. OFSTED inspection reports on Hampshire schools.

Appendix 2

HAMPSHIRE STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Development Plan 1998/9

1. Mission Statement

SACRE is committed to the provision of high quality informed advice to the LEA and schools regarding Religious Education and Collective Worship.

2. The Function of SACRE

The Council shall:

a) advise the Authority upon such matters connected with religious worship in county schools and the religious education to be taught in accordance with an agreed syllabus as the Authority may refer to the Council or as the Council may consider appropriate;


b) advise the Authority regarding its statutory duty to review its agreed syllabus every five years and to convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference;


c) determine any application from the headteacher of a county school, or any grant maintained school which before it acquired grant maintained status, was a county school, following consultation with the governing body, for an amendment to the requirement that collective worship should be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character;


d) publish an annual report which:

i. specifies any matters on which it has advised the Authority;

ii. broadly describes the nature of that advice; and

iii sets out its reasons for offering advice on any matters which were not referred to it in the first place by the Authority.

3. Current Pattern of SACRE work

3.1 Since the re-formation of Hampshire's SACRE in April 1997 much of the time has been spent meeting as an Agreed Syllabus Conference to consider and approve the new joint Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Agreed Syllabus.

3.2 In the normal pattern of SACRE meetings the following matters are dealt with on a regular basis:

· reviewing and commenting on the findings of OFSTED reports on Hampshire schools as they apply to RE and Collective Worship

· agreeing an Annual Report summarising SACRE business

· considering matters which have been referred to SACRE such as the recent consultation on Collective Worship

· involvement with and consideration of the business of the National Association of SACREs

· receiving and considering regular reports on initiatives in RE as an LEA and national level - for example the National RE Festival.

3.3 In previous years the Hampshire SACRE has also been involved in a number of specific initiatives:

· the development and publication of guidelines on Collective Worship

· the institution and subsequent consideration of a survey of RE provision in secondary schools in Hampshire

· issuing guidance to school on a number of matters including the use of non-specialist teachers in secondary schools, the provision for RE for under fives etc.

4. Future Plans

4.1 In order to further extend the work of SACRE a number of initiatives are proposed for consideration and approval.

4.2 For 1998/9 it is proposed that SACRE should:

· establish working groups to consider the findings of OFSTED, and the guidelines on Collective Worship

· identify opportunities for SACRE members to be involved in Inset training

· explore the possibility of holding meetings in venues linked to the communities represented on SACRE

· take a more proactive role in promoting its activity

· receive a budget allocation to support its work

Details of these proposed developments are outlined below.