Archived decisions

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

[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The SACRE self-evaluation sub-group met on 21 March and 28 April and scrutinised Key Areas 3,4,5 of the self-evaluation document and responded to the final question `What is distinctive about SACRE?'

2.1 Question 3
How effectively does SACRE, in partnership with the County Council, monitor the impact of the Agreed Syllabus in raising standards, utilise national guidance and evaluate the effectiveness of the previous Agreed Syllabus?

2.2 Key Area 3a: Review of the Agreed Syllabus

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is advanced

2.3 Key Area 3b: Using National Framework for Religious Education

The judgement made was that SACRE is advanced in that it established a clear view of the way its revision of the Agreed Syllabus was informed by the draft National (non statutory) Framework

2.4 Key Area 3c: Developing the Revised Agreed Syllabus

Judgement made was the SACRE's performance is advanced

2.5 Key Area 3d: Consultation/Launch/Implementation of the Agreed Syllabus

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is advanced but the phrase "supported by all schools" does not reflect the budgetary arrangements within the County Council as schools are required to pay for attendance on courses and not all schools, therefore, are in a similar position to implement the Agreed Syllabus.

2.6 Key Area 3e: Additional guidance/monitoring and evaluating the Agreed Syllabus

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is advanced, but with a reservation about monitoring procedures since these are yet to be formalised

3.1 Question 4

How effectively does the SACRE fulfil its responsibilities for the provision and practice of collective worship?

3.2 Key Area 4a: Practice and provision for collective worship

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is established. Primary schools generally meet the legal requirements, secondary schools do not. It was decided to bring this to the attention of SACRE as an issue for consideration

3.3 Key Area 4b: Monitoring the provision of collective worship and addressing issues of non-compliance

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is developing. Recent guidance has been provided by the County Council on collective worship but this has not, as yet, had any discernible effect on non-compliance in secondary schools

4.1 Question 5

How effectively does SACRE, in partnership with the County Council, contribute to the wider social and racial harmony agenda?

4.2 Key Area 5a: the representative nature of SACRE

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is advanced

4.3 Key Area 5b: Knowledge and understanding of the local religious, cultural and ethnic community

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is established. A recommendation related to this area has already been made to SACRE at its last meeting on 8 February (Item 8, recommendation 3)

4.4 Key Area 5c: Understanding the intrinsic contribution which RE can make to social and religious harmony

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is advanced but that the forthcoming handbook to accompany the Agreed Syllabus should explicitly mention how social and racial harmony can be addressed through the effective implementation of the Agreed Syllabus

4.5 Key Area 5d: Links to local authority initiatives promoting social and racial harmony

The judgement made was that SACRE's performance is developing. Research has already been embarked upon in this respect in order to initiate a project, based on a young people's faith forum bid, that complements present local authority initiatives and education development plan objectives

5.1 What is distinctive about your SACRE?

5.1.1 The level of financial support provided by the County Council through two dedicated RE specialist support officers and an RE Resource Centre

5.1.2 The distinctiveness of its new Agreed Syllabus: Living Difference, providing a methodology for teaching and learning in RE based upon conceptual enquiry

5.2 Key Strengths

5.2.1 The level of support for quality RE

5.3 Key Areas for Development

5.3.1 Securing the ambitions of the Agreed Syllabus through a development programme for schools and other support for effective implementation

5.3.2 Contributing more fully to social and racial harmony beyond RE

Recommendation

1 That a proposal be put to the County Council for financial support for schools to continue to develop the implementation of, and the monitoring and evaluation of, the impact of the Agreed Syllabus.

2 That SACRE be provided with a presentation from the inspectors and teachers illustrating the impact of the Agreed Syllabus in schools.

3 That SACRE consider the issues of non-compliance of secondary schools in collective worship and whether it wishes the County Council to provide further advice to secondary schools

4 That SACRE advise the County Council to ensure that the forthcoming handbook for RE makes explicit reference to how the Agreed Syllabus can address social and racial harmony through its effective implementation

5. That SACRE request the County Council to continue research into the wider local authority initiatives with a view to making a complementary contribution to them

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.