Agenda and minutes

To note the renewed appointments of Mrs N Younosi Group1 (Vice Chairman),Mrs V Corbyn  (Rochester) and Mrs P Martin (Canterbury) Group 2.

9.1       To note the renewed appointments of Mrs N Younosi, Group1 (Vice Chairmen),Mrs V Corbyn (Rochester) and Mrs P Martin (Canterbury) Group 2.

9.2       Mrs Younosi expressed concern about Rabbi Cohen and the Clerk agreed to write to him.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Minute 4 Kent SACRE Development Plan

11.1    Mrs Younosi proposed and Mrs Grant seconded that Mr Foster be invited to explain his role as Consultant to SACRE in order to clear up any confusion/misunderstanding. It was agreed this would be explained later on in the Agenda.

Minute 6.7 REC Draft programme of Study for Key Stages 1-3

11.2    Mr Foster reported he had responded to the on-line survey on behalf of SACRE and he awaited the outcome from the KCC consultation. He advised that the revised Programme of Study were launched in October 2013.

12.1    Mr Foster reported the Budget situation was much as at the same period last year. The Youth SACRE had not attracted the anticipated level of expenditure and the Steering Group had therefore considered various options for the remaining SACRE funds, these included supporting/assisting applications for the Quality Mark and/or Early Years training. Miss Walters suggested the funds be used to better publicise/raise the profile of the Agreed Syllabus in schools. Mrs Corbyn thought this could be done by distributing a paper copy of the statutory part of the Syllabus to all schools (approx 30pages).Mr Foster agreed to look into this.

12.2    Mrs Corbyn confirmed that the joint Diocese had secured a date, venue and Keynote speaker for the training it had been suggested the Local Authority buy into- negotiations were ongoing as to how the SACRE funds could be accessed for the purpose. Further details to follow.

13.1    Mr Foster presented the Draft Annual report for approval. He drew attention to appendix 1 (page24) - exam statistics, and the significant decline in short course entries, the impact of the EBacc.

13.2    Members debated Page 23 which highlighted the ongoing issue of Ofsted inspections and the non-compliance with statutory requirements for RE and Collective Worship. Mr Foster hoped that reporting SACRE’s views to NASACRE and KCC Members in the Annual Report would raise awareness/concerns

13.3    No Kent schools had been reported on in the lasted Ofsted report for RE.

13.4    Page 16 referred to Quality of teaching and members debated how this could be quantified. Mr Foster had provided training which resulted in very positive feedback, teachers wishing to establish local networking and support. Mr Tyson stated clear accountability was vital, and it was essential to have a mechanism to guage the impact of training. Mr Foster advised the impact/accountability was with the Headteacher who had financed the staff member, organised supply cover with the aim of impacting teaching and learning.

13.5    Mrs Donnelly reminded members of new guidelines regarding Governing Bodies and the All Party Parliamentary Group document reminding Governors of their responsibilities towards RE. She thought it would be worthwhile contacting the 20 schools who had recently sent staff to attend Mr Foster’s training course to ask for feedback in relation to the impact on teaching and learning.

13.6    Ms Burke reminded members that there were no longer any AST post for RE.

13.7    Members resolved to finalise and adopt the Annual report which would be reported to the Education Cabinet Committee, KCC members via the Information point and NASACRE and be published on the web.

14.1    Mr Foster had circulated the summary report for RE: Realising the Potential” and encouraged members to read the whole document. He pointed out part A which discussed eight major areas of concern and Part B, both of which raised the same concerns as Kent SACRE. Mr Foster was unclear about what action the LA would take to address the issues and Mr Northey and Mr Manion agreed to discuss the best way forward with a view to consulting Sue Rogers. It was noted there would be no more subject specific reports.

14.2    It was agreed there was a general lack of understanding of the nature and purpose of RE in some schools and it was important for SACRE to articulate a clear vision. Where good use of budget/resources/training and good practitioners were evident in schools, best practice needed to be shared and members  agreed SACRE needed to know who and where such schools were.

15.1    The Minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Kent Youth SACRE held on 16 October 2013 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

15.2    Mr Tyson had facilitated the first meeting and included a written report with the Agenda. He reiterated his thanks to all concerned and reported he had received positive feedback in the responses to Survey Monkey - the online survey he had undertaken.

15.3    Members considered the most sustainable way forward to promote an effective vision for Kent youth through SACRE. All agreed the event should be repeated and another volunteer was needed to co-ordinate future arrangements, with careful thought to organisation, timings, content, discussion groups and feedback.

15.4    Mrs Younosi thanked Mr Tyson on behalf of SACRE.

16.1    Mr Foster reported he had taken the framework from a NASACRE pamphlet  to use as the basis for a user friendly A5 document  to help raise awareness in Academies and Free schools regarding their responsibilities towards RE and Collective Worship. He hoped this would engender more collaborative working and engagement.

16.2    He agreed to amend the title to RE and Collective Worship and change the font type and with members approval the pamphlet would be posted to all Academies and Free schools.

17.1    Members debated the following key points:-

• What the plan should be called the length of the Plan and degree of detail it should contain prioritisation
• Best use of Mr Fosters time in supporting the Plan (time allocation)-Mr Foster explained how he allocated his 15 days support to SACRE plus 10 days training allocation, it was noted he frequently worked additional unpaid hours.
• SACRE had ownership of the Plan-not the RE Consultant
• 2 Plans:- start with a blank page

a -Statutory elements

b- one or two achievable projects per year and move on, possibly CPD and Youth SACRE current targets

• Plan not become tick box exercise, more or less boxes?
• Need clear outcomes, obvious to all.

17.2    CPD in Kent :-

• Mr Foster planned 3 x primary events to target non-specialists
• Liz Pope-events
• Mrs Corbyn and Mrs Martin -events
• Need for a realistic and achievable focus

• Identify outstanding schools and practitioners
• Obtain list of lead teachers
• Share good practice -,visits, video use/conferencing, teachers TV etc. webcam. keynote speakers

17.3    It was agreed the Steering Group would consider all of the options discussed

on the afternoon of the next Chairman’s briefing meeting-Monday 3 February 2014 at Oakwood House. Clerk to email confirmation to the Steering Group.

18.1    Members considered the report and Ms Burke expressed concern at the lack of attendance from teachers in Academies since the Local Authority ruling that supply cover was withdrawn.

18.2    The clerk agreed to contact the Chairman of the Kent Association of Head Teachers -Pam Jones, Ifield Special School, in regard to filling vacancies in the Group.

AREIAC conference-Tuesday 21 January 2014.Birmingham.

19.2    £90 per delegate.

19.3    Mr Manion and Mr Foster to attend- details to be circulated to members.

Farmington Fellowships for Teachers of RE and Headteachers -2014/15

Programme.

19.4    Mr Fster to circulate to schools

Kenttrustweb restructured- KELSI (Kent Education Learning and Skills Information)

19.5    Mr Foster reported KELSI was still in the development stage, but he would email the appropriate link when available.

SACRE 2014

Wed 5 March 2014 – Darent, County Hall, Maidstone

June 2014 – Outside venue and date TBC

Tues 25 Nov.2014 – Darent, County Hall, Maidstone

Briefings 2014 at Oakwood House, Maidstone

Mon 3 Feb 2014

Mon 12 May 2014

Mon 13 Oct 2014

All meetings commence at 9.30am

SACRE 2014

Wed 4 March 2014 - Darent,County Hall, Maidstone

June 2014-Outside Venue and date TBC (Mrs Younosi to contact Mosque)

Tuesday 25 November 2014 –Darent, County Hall, Maidstone

Briefings 2014 at Oakwood House, Maidstone

Mon 3 February 2014-All day, followed by Steering Group

Mon 12 May 2014

Mon 13 Oct. 2014

All meeting commence at 9.30am

Mrs Grant was thanked for her lively and informative visual presentation about a Baha’i view of children’s spiritual education. She concluded her talk with a question and answer session, leaving members fully informed.