Agenda item

Mr Hewitt presented the Lancashire SACRE Development Plan 2014/15 which had been amended in response to various comments made at the last meeting of the Quality and Standards Sub Group; including providing timelines and identification of Officers responsible for implementing specific points.

Priority 1 - To fulfil SACRE's statutory role by providing effective leadership of RE and collective worship.

With regard to monitoring Mr Hewitt reported that information would be collated from a variety of sources, including the results from Key Stage 4. Responses from a sample of schools and Youth Voice would also inform the future monitoring of the quality of provision for Religious Education. He added that a report on the outcomes of the monitoring would be presented to SACRE in March 2015. The value of the Youth Voice was emphasised in this area and in the work of the SACRE in general.

Priority 2 – To raise achievement in Religious Education.

It was reported that the Religious Education website would be developed to assist schools to share examples of good practice and enable teachers to network and exchange ideas. It was noted that as part of the developments the website would be made more easily accessible and navigable for teachers.

The low take-up of courses was discussed and it was suggested that many schools were finding it difficult to release staff to attend courses for a range of reasons. Whilst courses would continue to be offered it was recognised that there needed to be a range of approaches in order to reach as many schools and teachers as possible.

It was also noted that there was a role for Governors in terms of raising the profile of Religious Education and Collective Worship and in ensuring that the subject had a place in School Improvement Plans so that it would be allocated the necessary resources.

The high quality of school support services in Lancashire was discussed and it was recognised that there was an opportunity for services to be marketed to those adjacent local authorities who were keen to improve standards in schools within their area.

With regard to the government decision not to set national levels and the impact this would have on monitoring the progress of pupils, Mr Hewitt reported that arrangements were being made to establish a group to develop an approach around the assessment of RE for Secondary Schools. In response to a query Mr Hewitt undertook to communicate the planned course of action to schools in order to reassure teachers that action was being taken to address concerns around levels. 

Priority 3 – To improve the provision of Collective Worship.

The importance of Collective Worship (and Religious Education) in relation to community cohesion and the promotion of 'British values' was recognised. It was noted that there was a range of excellent material available via the SACRE website though it was suggested that many schools had difficulty in accessing the information. As a result Mr Hewitt informed the meeting that details of how to access the website would be circulated to all schools.

Priority 4 – To ensure that the provision of Religious Education is informed by the views of stakeholders.

The Council acknowledged the importance of the Youth Voice and the contribution which it made to the work of the SACRE in Lancashire. It was also recognised that the Religious Education offer from the Burnley and Pendle Faith Centre would continue to be developed and made available across all of Lancashire.

Priority 5 – To develop the contribution of Religious Education to Community Cohesion.

The importance of the objectives included in this section of the Development Plan were recognised in view of recent events in Birmingham. It was noted that community cohesion would be a key theme in developing training for teachers in order to assist them in tackling inequalities/controversial topics.

Resolved:

1.  That the revised Lancashire SACRE Development Plan for
2014/15, as presented, is approved.

2.  That a report on the outcomes of the monitoring process be presented to the SACRE in March 2015.

3.  That teachers are informed of the intention to form a group (including representatives from Primary Schools) to meet in the New Year to develop an offer around English/Maths in relation to levels for Secondary Schools.

4.  That details of how to access the Religious Education website are circulated to all schools.