Item 2

AT A MEETING of the STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 8 February 2005.

PRESENT

S.W. Juniper (Chairman); Ms M. Allder; H. Benzie; Miss S.E. Boothman; Councillor B.D. Dash; Councillor Mrs J.K. Frankum; B.W. Hay; C.A.R. Hughes; J.J. Klein; Ms J. O'Reilly; Mrs A.J. Post; M. Riyami; Rev G.E. Rock; Mrs S. Thatcher; N. Utton; Mrs L. Weatherley.

87. 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.

88. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 2 November 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

89. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

i. The Chairman welcomed Jean O'Reilly as the new Humanist representative.


ii. The Chairman informed Members that the University College, Winchester was to begin a new PGCE course in the teaching of RE at secondary schools.


iii. The Chairman and the County Education Officer updated Members of the current and possible future arrangements for relations between SACRE and the Executive Member for Education/Education PRC. The Chairman highlighted the importance of this relationship should SACRE seek funds for projects or make other substantive decisions.


iv. The Chairman outlined the further correspondence with the Church Times with regard to its report in October 2004 on the Non-Statutory National Framework and Hampshire's new Agreed Syllabus. He informed Members that he and the County Education Officer had written to the Church Times and the letter had been printed in full. The Chairman reported his thanks to Southampton and Portsmouth SACRE Chairmen for their support in writing to the Church Times.


v. The Chairman called for a volunteer to represent Hampshire SACRE at the National SACRE (NASACRE) Annual General Meeting on 19 April 2005. Mr Benzie offered his services as Hampshire SACRE representative.

90. DEPUTATIONS

No deputations were received.

91. HAMPSHIRE GCSE RESULTS FOR 2004

Members considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on Hampshire Schools' GCSE results in RE for 2004. The County Education Officer highlighted the improvement in boys' performance, especially in the short course; the increase in numbers on both the long and short courses; and the fact that Hampshire's results were in line with the national residual which had also improved.

RESOLVED:

That the report be approved.

92. CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS AND THE WORK OF SACRE'S

Members received a report from the County Education Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) concerning the Chairman's recent attendance at the Conference on National Developments and the work of SACREs. The Chairman highlighted the discussions on the uncertainty of the future for locally agreed syllabuses for RE; the need for new systems for monitoring RE provision in local schools resulting from the new Ofsted inspection framework; and the lack of provision for RE for 16-19 years olds.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the feasibility of monitoring RE provision through school self-evaluation be considered.

93. MONITORING SUB GROUP

Members considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the recent findings of the Monitoring Sub Group. It was highlighted by Members of the Sub Group that the information on which they could base their analysis was difficult to obtain because of a lack of Ofsted inspections in RE.

RESOLVED:

That the monitoring of compliance with statutory requirements at Key Stage 4 be incorporated into the support for schools self-evaluation.

94. SELF-EVALUATION SUB-GROUP

Members considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the findings of the first meeting of the Self-Evaluation Sub Group. Members felt strongly that this method of self-evaluation would prove to be a good driving force for SACRE and the issues concerning RE provisions. The Chairman of the Sub Group highlighted the Group's wish to ensure that Hampshire SACRE remain a dynamic body.

It was emphasised by Members that when asking schools to self-evaluate their provision of RE it would be important to provide the relevant tools to complete such self-evaluation.

RESOLVED:

That:


i. the performance in teaching and learning of RE within Hampshire schools be monitored in relation to the `very good' category.


ii. the LEA be asked to establish a procedure for schools to provide judgements on RE performance and provision at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.


iii. the feasibility of meeting at different venues be investigated, including places of worship and schools, and speakers from different faiths and teachers be arranged to address those meetings.


iv. a Member be appointed to induct new Members into the role and procedures of SACRE and an information pack be provided for new Members.


v. the development and implementation of the new agreed syllabus be explicitly identified and expressed within an action plan linked to the LEA's strategic development plan.


vi. matched funding be sought from the LEA to bid for an interfaith youth forum project and its sustainability.


vii. its partnerships with key stakeholders be strengthened, for example with Southampton Council of Faiths, Parent Governors and Teachers, by initially asking them to address meetings.

95. OFSTED REPORTS ON THE INSPECTION OF SACRES

Members considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) presenting the findings of the recent Ofsted report on the inspection of SACREs. The County Education Officer informed Members that Hampshire SACRE was not included in the nineteen SACREs inspected. It was noted that Hampshire had fulfilled all of Ofsted's recommendations.

The County Education Officer complimented the leadership role adopted by SACRE during difficult times over the past years in advising and supporting RE teachers around the County. He emphasised that this had been well received by schools.



RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and discussion of the findings and recommendations be included within the self-evaluation.

96. YOUNG PEOPLE'S FAITH FORUM

Members considered a report of the County Education Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining an opportunity for SACREs to bid for project funding from NASACRE. The Chairman noted that this new initiative acknowledged the continued development in the role of the SACREs. The County Education Officer highlighted the emphasis in this initiative on social cohesion within and beyond the teaching of RE. It was felt by Members that such a project would be important for the non-Christian sections of the community and as a tool to extend religious discussion amongst young people outside of school life.

The Chairman reported that he had written to the Chairmen of Portsmouth and Southampton SACREs to inquire about a joint bid between the three Standing Advisory Councils.

RESOLVED:

That a funding bid be submitted to NASACRE to set up a project in conjunction with Portsmouth and Southampton SACREs if possible.

97. INCLUSION AND THE ROLE OF SACRES

Members received a report of the County Education Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning the impact of the Children Act on the work of SACREs with regard to inclusion. The County Education Officer outlined the new service structure of the Children and Families Branch detailing the responsibilities of each section; the priorities of the Branch; the intended methods of improving services; and the special attention to be given to behaviour of children in schools. It was viewed by Members that the principle function of SACRE is inclusion and the propagation of the idea of inclusion. Members emphasised their view that all children should feel comfortable within RE lessons and as such should be allowed and encouraged to express their opinions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and ways in which the Children Act would impact on SACREs role and responsibilities be considered.

98. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the date of next SACRE meeting would be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday 7 June 2005.

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