Archived decisions

Title:

Item 10. The NASACRE Conference

Presented to:

SACRE

Presented by:

The Director of Children's Services

Date:

9 July 2009

Distributed to:

All SACRE Members

Method:

Hard Copy

Date:

1 July 2009

Contact name:

Judith Lowndes

Tel:

02392 441518

Email:

[email protected]

1.

Purpose of Report

1.1

This report provides SACRE with a brief summary of the National Association of SACRE's (NASACRE) conference held on 4 June 2009.

2.

Contextual Issues:

2.1

This paper supports the Corporate Strategy (maximising well being) by ensuring children's provision in religious education is secure.

2.2

The conference held in Birmingham was attended by Chris Hughes and a supporting officer to SACRE.

3.

The Conference:

3.1

The keynote address was from Councillor Salma Yaqoob who spoke about aggressive secularism in today's society and that we should recognise that religion can be a force for good and can inspire. She shared her philosophy which is that we should champion the pluralism that we have in the UK and celebrate difference.

3.2

The AGM followed the keynote address. There was some discussion about the proposed amendments to the constitution of NASACRE . In summary the proposed amendments state:-

i)

That those who attend NASACRE meetings are representatives of their own SACREs. SACREs will be informed of any issues/motions on which a vote is required and representatives at NASACRE meetings will vote according to the wishes of their individual SACREs

ii)

Individuals may bring forward motions. At the chair's discretion such motions can be debated.

3.3

National updates were provided by Alan Brine (HMI) Mark Chater (QCA) Prof. Brian Gates (RE Council) and John Keast (RE consultant). The following information was provided:-

i)

The RE Council has secured funding to run a national RE project culminating in a celebration of RE in 2011. The focus will be on secondary schools and will look at RE and community cohesion.

ii)

QCA welcomes responses from SACREs and schools in relation to the proposed revision of Circular 1/94 and the Primary Curriculum Review.

iii)

HMI have carried out subject inspection nationally with a focus on creativity in RE. A report will be available in the autumn.

3.4

The second keynote address was from Geoff Teece from University of Birmingham who spoke about "Learning from religion and building community".

3.5

Announcements were made for the 2009/10 Young people's faith forum awards."

4.

Conclusions: That SACRE notes the report.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

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