Agenda and minutes

There were no membership updates.

Apologies for absence were received from Rabbi C Cohen, Mrs V Corbyn, Mrs R Joyce, Mrs E May, Mr Papadopoullos, Mrs J Wigg and Mrs Younosi.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed subject to the inclusion of Mrs Bostock in the list of attendees and the correction of the spelling of Bromstone School in minute 92(3).

(1)       Mr Foster introduced the item on SACRE’s budget. He confirmed that 72% of the previous year’s budget had been spend and that expenditure from the 2016/17 budget was estimated to be about 98%.

(2)       He also said that the review of the RE Syllabus could not proceed until it was confirmed that funding would be received.  It was reported that Mr Gough (Cabinet Member for Education and Health Reform) was confident that funding would be received.  Mr Foster thanked Mr Manion for bringing the matter to Mr Gough’s attention.

(3)       Mr Manion emphasised the need to monitor expenditure for future events.

i)             RE Hub

ii)            REQM Update

iii)           NASACRE briefing no. 11 April 2016

iv)           Agreed Syllabus Review update

v)            Interim Statement on Assessment

(1)       RE Hub

Mr Manion said the RE hub which had previously been held at Canterbury Christchurch University and ran over two days had been very successful. This event had been led by secondary schools and he suggested that primary schools should also be involved.  He also suggested that the event should be advertised using other methods in addition to social media.

(2)       RE Quality Mark update

Mr Foster gave an update on the progress of REQM.  He said REQM was affiliated with NASACRE and provided support and funding for schools working towards bronze, silver, or gold RE quality marks.

Mr Maddison said he was pleased that schools were working towards RE quality marks and that SACRE were supportive of it.  He also said that parents were supportive of competition between schools.

Mr Foster confirmed that in the past REQM had advised SACRE when a school was awarded a quality mark.  He also said that schools needed to start reapplying in September and that Virginia Corbyn and Liz Pope could provide a teacher with advice and guidance on acquiring an REQM.

(3)       NASACRE briefing

Mr Foster brought SACRE's attention to the recent NASACRE briefing and regretted the fact that no one from Kent had been able to attend the recent AGM meeting.

Mr Foster stated that it had been a very buoyant year for Religious Education and that he was hoping to see clear and proper guidance from central government so that a syllabus review could be undertaken with clarity.

In regards to a future syllabus a view was expressed that the key value of religious education came from how the students learn, in particular through enquiry led questions and views.

A concern was raised about the impact on religious education of Government’s intention to “academise” all schools.

(4)       Agreed Syllabus Review Update

Mr Foster said there was nothing further to report.

(5)       Interim Statement on Assessment

Mr Foster introduced the Kent SACRE draft interim statement on the assessment of RE, as requested at the previous meeting.  He proposed a half day working group to work towards agreeing the new syllabus and any amendments to the draft interim statement. It was confirmed that the members of the working group would be Mrs Burke, Mrs Corbyn, Mr Foster, Mrs Hawkes, Mr Manion, Miss Pope and Mrs Younosi and that the first meeting of the group would be on 11 July at Oakwood House.

(6)       Mr Foster reminded the meeting that there would be two guests at the next meeting: Gillian Cawley; KCC’s Director of Education, Quality and Standards and Rudolph Elliot Lockhart (CEO of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales).  He would provide an update on the REC’s Commission on Religious Education.

Miss Paterson said the date for this event was set for 18 October at Highworth Girls’ Grammar School, Ashford and the venue could accommodate 120 children. The event would include workshops about different faiths and attendees would have the opportunity to participate in two workshops about other faiths.  She also said that the Democratic Services Officer would send information about the event to schools in September.

(1)       The fourth annual Kent Youth SACRE Event is scheduled to take place at County Hall, Maidstone on 9 November 2016 from 2-5 pm.  The topic is Refugees and the session will be led by by June Ben Rabah and Jaymie Pauvaday of Numinous Education. 

(Post meeting note: Invitations to schools were sent out on 17 June 2016).  

(2)       Mr Maddison said the University of Kent had recently arranged a pilgrimage along the old Pilgrims’ Way to highlight the refugee crisis.

(3)       Mr Chambers said that, in another role with the NUT he had visited Bosnia, at which time he was made aware of and given access to resources relating to refugees and the help being provided for them.

(1)       Following the formal SACRE meeting, Miss Webb spoke to the meeting about the key features within the West Malling Baptist Church and the significance of total immersion Baptism and the particular style of worship practised, for members of the church congregation and the wider, local community. 

(2)       SACRE members thanked Miss Webb for her hosting of the meeting, the warm and generous hospitality and for her informative talk.

SACRE and Agreed Syllabus Conference

Tue 29 Nov.2016- County Hall, Maidstone

Tue 7 Mar 2017- County Hall, Maidstone

Wed 14 Jun 2017- venue tba

Tue 28 Nov 2017- County Hall, Maidstone

Briefings at Oakwood House, Maidstone

Mon 17 Oct 2016

Mon 6 Feb 2017

Mon 15 May 2017

Mon 16 Oct 2017

All meetings start at 9.30am

It was agreed that meetings would take place as follows:

SACRE and Agreed Syllabus Conference - Tue 29 Nov.2016 - County Hall, Maidstone.

SACRE Meetings

Tue 7 Mar 2017- County Hall, Maidstone

Wed 14 Jun 2017- venue tba

Tue 28 Nov 2017- County Hall, Maidstone

Briefings at Oakwood House, Maidstone

Mon 17 Oct 2016

Mon 6 Feb 2017

Mon 15 May 2017

Mon 16 Oct 2017

All meetings start at 9.30am