Agenda and minutes

To note the resignation of Miss K Anderson and Mr R Tyson -Rochester Diocese, Group 2 and  Mr J Elenor, Group 4.

To note the appointment of Mr A Crowther - UKIP, Group 4

To note the appointment of Miss N Brownfield – Rochester Diocese, Group 2

To note the Following renewed appointments for a further 4 year term:-

Mrs J Wigg - Salvation Army

Mr M Papadopoullos - Greek Orthodox

Miss R Walters - Canterbury Diocese

1) The Chairman welcomed Mr Crowther (Group 4 – UKIP,) who has replaced Mr Elenor, and Ms Brownfield (Group 2 – Rochester Diocese) to SACRE.

2) Two new Head Teachers were confirmed to have been appointed to SACRE in Group 3; Mrs Rosemary Joyce representing Grammar Schools and Mr Andrew Fowler representing Academies. Neither was available to attend this meeting following their very recent appointments.

3) The Chairman also welcomed Christine Bostock who was present to observe the meeting and was considering joining SACRE as a representative of Group 2 - Church of England.

1)    The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed.

1) There were no declarations of interest.

1) Mr Foster introduced the budget and explained it was looking healthy. He also advised that SACRE should try to ensure a full spend to maintain the current budget.. Confirmation was given that there were no outstanding payments.

2) In regards to the Religious Education Quality Mark (REQM) Mr Foster confirmed schools had been submitting applications for the Silver and Gold awards. He explained the assessors are Liz Pope and Virginia Corbyn. All the award winners could be found on at www.reqm.org.

3) Ms Louise Trumper, teacher at Oakwood Park Grammar School, had emailed the Clerk of SACRE with the announcement for the meeting that they had  been awarded  the Gold award for REQM.

1)    Mr Foster introduced the item in regards to this paper and briefing  from NASACRE, which was seeking local SACRE’s views on the suggestion that  a new settlement for Religious Education and changes to Collective Worship were being suggested. He also brought Members attention to some research that was indicating collective worship should be scrapped.

2)    A view was expressed that it would be disappointing were collective worship to be scrapped.

3)    Agreed to note the NASACRE article and that any comments would be sent to Mr Foster. These comments would be used to create a draft response to NASACRE and circulated to SACRE. It was anticipated that this would be a future item for the NASACRE AGM, and that SACRE would watch developments with close interest.

1)    Alan Foster confirmed that he had not yet received all the local Kent examination data to include in the annual report.

2)    Mr Maddison stated he felt the report covered everything well.

3)    Mr Northey expressed a view that in regards to the information on page 15 of the Annual Report the positive achievements in this subject by institutions was a powerful argument in favour of formal and correct Religious Education. He explained these impressive results should be used to hammer home the value of Religious Education.

4)    In regards to how effectively the message of using Flexible Worship in schools had been shared Mr Foster explained awareness was being raised regularly with Head Teachers and Chairs of Governors. 

5)    Members agreed the Annual Report and Mr Foster confirmed when the data is received it would be circulated to;

a)    Members of SACRE

b)    County Members via the Members Information Bulletin

c)    The Education and Young People’s Services Cabinet Committee

d)    The Corporate Director of Education and Young People’s Services

e)    Head Teachers and Chair via ebulletin

f)     NASACRE General Secretary

g)    Ministry of Education.

1)    Alan Foster explained that he had been reviewing the out of date guidance on Shaping the Spirit.

2)    Mr Foster explained his time supporting SACRE has been cut. There is no longer time available for him to continue supporting this Working Group.

3)    As an alternative, Mr Foster also asked that if there were any amendments anyone wanted to suggest to the review, which shall be on the Kent County Council website, they contact him directly. This resolution was agreed. 

1)    Nicky Younosi thanked Democratic Services Officers Carol Wade and Alexander Saul for their assistance in arranging the Secondary Youth SACRE event. She expressed a view that this event was very interactive and good for the children and that going to see County Hall was a great opportunity for them. She also said that it would be a real pity were this event to stop due to funding.

2)    Mrs Younosi asked SACREs approval that this event continues. She also advised in future we need more information on the food allergies of children attending and that awareness of this is raised.

3)    Karen Burke agreed with Mrs Younosi that it was a very good event enjoyed by the students who gave very positive feedback. She also stated that the number of students the knowledge shared in this event will reach is far higher as it will be shared amongst classes at the attendees respective schools.

4)    Mr Manion referenced an email he had received from Virginia Corbyn confirming she was glad of the events success but the there was still a small amount of schools and students attending.

5)    Mr Maddison motioned that this event be included in the budget next year. This was seconded by Mrs Younosi and agreed.

1)    Mr Foster introduced the SACRE Development Plan, explaining that despite allocated time for SACRE being cut back it was not dissimilar to last year’s plan. Mr Foster confirmed the days allocated to him for working on SACRE had been cut down from 34 days to 20 days.

2)    Members attention was brought to the events listed in the Development Plan that were being calendared in for the year.

3)    In response to questions on the change to allocated time Mr Foster explained no justification was given.

4)    Agreed that the Development Plan is noted. 

(i)            REQM-Oakwood Park Grammar School, Gold Award

(ii)          RE Hub

1) SACRE noted the update from Virginia Corbyn in the agenda in regards to the Kent and Medway RE Hub fourth breakfast meeting on 17th October at Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone.

2) With regards to the new GCSE and GCE examination specifications, Ms Karen Burke expressed a view that the opportunity to develop good courses was being missed. She had wanted to see a Religious Education syllabus that branches out from its current choice to offer students something different and exciting.

3) Ms Burke explained feedback on this had previously been given to the Teacher Association.

SACRE and Agreed Syllabus Conference

Mon 7 March 2016- County Hall, Maidstone

Wed.15 June 2016-Outside venue

Tues.29 Nov.2016-County Hall, Maidstone

Briefings at Oakwood House, Maidstone.

Mon 8 Feb 2016

Mon 9 May 2016

Mon 17 Oct 2016

All meetings start at 9.30am

1)    It was agreed that West Malling Baptist Church be pursued as the outside venue for the SACRE meeting on Wednesday 15 June.

1)    There were no items the Chairman decided to be urgent.