Agenda and minutes

Attendance

Roman Catholic Church  Ms Jo Busby

The Free Churches Group  Mr C Wills (UR)

  Mrs A Tidswell (M)

  Mr P Baker (AoG)

Hinduism  Mrs H Shukla

  Mr I Tailor

Teacher Associations  Mr P Martin (ASCL) – Chair

  Mrs A Robinson (ATL)

Church of England  Ms L Horobin 

  Mrs M Pate

Mr J Wilson

Lancashire County Council  Mr F Williams

  CC P Buckley

  CC A Cheetham

  CC Y Motala

Co-opted Members  Mrs K Cooper (LASGB)

Teachers Union  Ms Julie Roper (NASUWT)

Officers in attendance

Mrs A Lloyd – Advisor (School Improvement), Lancashire County Council, Children and Young People Directorate

Mrs M Mahmood – Democratic Services Officer, Lancashire County Council, Office of the Chief Executive

Miss K Harrison – Democratic Services Officer, Lancashire County Council, Legal and Democratic Services

Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Ben McMullen, Joan O'Rourke, Helen Sage, Kevin Ellard, Malcolm Craig, Ephraim Guttentag and Andrew Brennand.

Attached.

The minutes of the full SACRE meeting which took place on Monday 27 June were confirmed a true and correct record.

Following documents attached:

NASACRE Guidance

RETool

Current Development Plan.

SACRE members split into 5 groups; each group evaluated progress against one target in the development plan. The NASACRE RE tool was also used to benchmark current performance. 

Group 1: Promoting improvement in standards, the quality of teaching and provision in RE (Lancashire SACRE Development Plan priority 2).

The following points were reported back:

·  It was questioned how robust the data collection process was, for example only 24% of secondary schools submitted data in 2015.

·  In regard to primary schools removal of levels was discussed, what system would be used to gather the information?

·  It was felt there was a need for a full time consultants who could provide support to teachers.

·  How could RE subject leaders who didn’t attend network meetings or training be supported?

·  It was felt that the quality of agreed syllabus was very good, support needed to be provided to NQT's, PPA cover and those new to the RE subject leader role.

·  Examples of good practice for teachers were felt to be important.

·  It was questioned whether Lancashire had enough RE specialists?

·  In terms of academies it was questioned how we knew what was being taught and about the quality and standards.

·  Quality Mark – how do we promote this?

·  Website hits – perhaps this could be a standing item on the agenda once the new website had been launched following the November conference.

·  CPD for subject leaders, not just those new to RE.

Group 2: Evaluating the effectiveness of the Locally Agreed Syllabus (Lancashire SACRE Development Plan Priority 6). The following points were reported back:

·  SACRE to review agreed syllabus and keep in line with county objectives

·  Improved data returns from individual schools showing improved Outcomes. It was mentioned that an RE conference was booked for the 10 November which would hopefully continue to raise areas for development

·  SACRE Website to be kept up to date with enhanced access for schools.

·  Different ways of communicating could be looked into such as social media. An updated website would enhance access to sites such as Twitter.

·  Consideration to be given to the people outside of Lancashire who were interested in buying the syllabus.

·  Collection of pupil data in the future would be crucial to future evaluation and teacher feedback.

Group 3: Promoting improvement in the provision and quality of collective worship (Lancashire SACRE Development Plan priority 3).

The following points were reported back:

·  Mirrors & Doors, could be promoted through network meetings and by developing new materials.

·  Clarity needed to be sought about determination and training about what might happen in the event of a request for disapplication.

·  Refocusing the role of Youth Voice

·  Monitoring arrangements for collective worship?

·  Are governing bodies aware that they can complain to SACRE if need be?

Group 4: Managing the SACRE and building the partnership between the SACRE, the LA and the other key stakeholders (Lancashire SACRE Development Plan priorities 1 & 4). The following points were reported back:

·  The attendance from membership faiths to meetings of the SACRE was discussed.

·  There was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Update Monitoring Report Attached.

Monitoring Report

Members referred to the updated monitoring report which detailed the three current methods of analysing standards within schools. It was mentioned that 70% of primary school, 24% of secondary schools and 17% of special schools submitted data in 2015, it was also highlighted that more primary schools responded than in 2014 but fewer secondary schools.

The members noted the KS1-KS4 figures for achievement in 2015.

The members of SACRE noted that Ofsted now conducted short inspections of schools that were judged to be good at their most recent section 5 inspection. The short inspections lasted for one day and took place around every three years.

Members of SACRE noted that of the 10 primary schools where attainment was below 70% at the end of Key Stage 2, 2 schools were currently judged to be outstanding, 7 judged to be good and 1 required improvement. Of the 4 secondary schools where attainment is below 70% at the end of Key Stage, 2 were currently judged to be outstanding and 2 good.

To be tabled at meeting.

Members of SACRE referred to and noted the agreed Syllabus progress report which was tabled to members at the meeting.

Following documents attached:

High Court Ruling on Religious Education Dr Satvinder Juss

NASACRE/AREIAC response.

SACRE noted NASACRE's response to the advice of Dr Satvinder Juss on the High Court ruling on Religious Education - November 2015.

Verbal Update.

It was reported that the NNW which took place on Thursday 10 March 2016 had been well attended. The LA officer has offered for future meetings to be minuted. It was highlighted that Paul Smalley attended the meeting and topics such as monitoring paperwork, CPG, and the PREVENT agenda were discussed.

It is hoped that following the next meeting of the NNW Hub there would be minutes and best practice to share with SACRE.

Verbal Update.

It was reported that the Chair and LA Officer had travelled to London to the NASACRE Conference where 150 SACRES from across the country attended. There had been 2 key-note speakers, Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss and Professor Adam Dinham.

Verbal Update.

The Faith Coordinator informed members that over the past 18 months over 50 schools had engaged in the Faith Centre. It was mentioned that there was currently a team of 15 volunteers at the centre and that they were always on the lookout for new volunteers.

It was noted that the Faith Centre was reaching out across Lancashire to children from reception to 6th form. Some schools were linking with other schools to compare practice and traditions. Afrasiab mentioned that they had received some very positive feedback on the programme.

Verbal Update.

Alice Robinson updated members of her recent visit to Broughton High School observed RE lessons being taught to Y7 and Y 9 students. Alice reported that the children were fully engaged and were great ambassadors to the school and the Lancashire SACRE. Alice mentioned that it was great to see the syllabus in action.

There had been discussion of students being invited to the meetings of SACRE to provide feedback to the members.

Verbal Update.

There was nothing to report on Youth Voice.

Verbal Update. 

No observers were in attendance attended the meeting.

Verbal Update.

No observers attended the meeting.

Verbal Update.

Members of SACRE stated who would like to receive a hard copy of the agenda.

Verbal Update.

The members of SACRE praised Colin Wills on being included on the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2016.

The next scheduled meeting of the SACRE will be held at 10.00am on 26 September 2016  in Cabinet Room D – The Henry Bolingbroke Room at County Hall, Preston.

The next meeting is due to take place at 10:00am on 26 September 2016 in Cabinet Room D – The Henry Bolingbroke Room.