Agenda and minutes

To note the appointment of Mr Rajesh Chakkedath, Group 1 Hindu representative.

33.1    To note the resignation of Mrs P Martin, Group 2 Canterbury Diocese

33.2    To note the Appointment of Mr A Gillespie-CCCU co-opted member to

Group 3 (Teacher Associations)

33.3    The Clerk reported Pam Jones Chair of KAH (Kent Association of Headteachers ) had been consulted in regard to the vacancies in Group 3 for a Secondary and Primary Headteacher. Mr Foster confirmed he had also spoken to her.The contact at Sessions House was Sharon Batchelor-Business support officer to KAH and Kent Primary Forum.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

35.1    Mr Foster was pleased to report that there had been no cut in the SACRE Budget for the next financial year. After allowing for meeting expenses and funding of the Youth SACRE (Lat Blaylock Keynote speaker + refreshments) members needed to consider use of any surplus funds.

35.2    The following ideas were considered:-

Liz Pope had previously asked the Clerk to forward information to members about the launch of an RE ”teach meet” for secondary and primary teachers.

At the RE Hub meeting organised by Bob Bowie, Katie Clemmey, Virginia Corbyn and Liz Pope,  ideas from the first meeting on 5 July at The Singleton Environment Centre, Ashford  would enable further events and meets,. And SACRE could consider making a contribution.

35.3    The use of SACRE funds towards applying for the RE Quality Mark (REQM) (full cost of just under £500).

35.6    Mr Foster reported schools could be encouraged to sign up to RE Today and NATRE and SACRE could fund part/all of the subscription. The magazines cost  £49.50 for 3 issues. Mrs Corbyn advised the Diocese already paid for its Church schools and bought access to the password for the website. Subscription was for an academic year and could be back dated. She suggested SACRE could consider match funding ie 50%

35.6    Mr Foster suggested applications could be considered on a first come first basis up to the limit of surplus funds (approx. £1000).

35.7    Miss Walters emphasised CPD was important, to encourage people to make a difference to the quality of RE teaching and she emphasised both the primary and secondary sectors needed to be considered.

35.8    Mr Elenor considered SACRE members could raise their profile by attending away-day visits in schools. Mr Foster replied this was a valid suggestion and it was hoped the next outside venue meeting could be held in an Academy.The clerk agree to consult Highworth Grammar school, Ashford regarding June 2015.

35.9    Members agreed Mr Foster contact Miss Pope to establish how SACRE funds could best assist the Hub meetings, and invite schools to apply for assistance via the e-bulletin with regard to the REQM and contribution towards RE Today publications .The overall aim being the reduction of the Budget underspend in the most cost effective way.

Mrs Corbyn agreed to contact  Lat Blaylock regarding the theme of the Youth SACRE event and the Clerk would then circulate the information in an invitation letter (signed by the Chairman) to all secondary schools and SACRE members via email.

Survey of RE Provision in Kent Schools

Mr Foster had agreed to take on responsibility/overview of the plan following Mrs Martins resignation. The Steering Group had considered the plan for use in 2014/15 and it was agreed reference to high quality CPD would be included, which might be supported through the regional Hub. Members noted this was not currently on offer.

38.1    Mr Foster had circulated a draft version of the simple 2-sided survey to be undertaken across a sample of schools in each area of the County as part of its responsibilities for monitoring of the provision and quality of RE and Collective Worship. He intended to target specific schools by post as the previous online approach had been hopeless. He would look at the demographics of each area and attempt to balance urban/rural, Academy, VC, Community etc.to get the balance right and obtain the most helpful answers.

38.2    Members debated the most effective way of obtaining meaningful information and Mr Foster agreed to move the Collective Worship questions to the end of the survey and not sandwich them in the middle. It was also agreed to separate and target some specific questions to either primary or secondary schools, as it was recognised that the teaching of RE and CW throughout the different phases of education varied greatly and would therefore effect the responses to the questions.

38.3    The Chairman concluded that SACRE looked forward to receiving the results which he hoped would be accurate and honest, to inform members without being judgemental.    

Mrs Younosi requested Mrs Deepinder Kaur-Gill be added to the list.

NASACRE AGM-22 May 2014 Update

NASACRE

40.1    Mr Manion and Mrs Younosi had attended the NASACRE AGM on 22 May 2014 and reported they were disappointed with the Key Note speakers address on Rising to the Challenge -Stephen Lloyd MP, Chair - All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on RE.

40.2    They were pleased to confirm that KCC treated Kent SACRE very well, financed their work and provided an RE Advisor and Clerk, which did not seem to reflect other SACRE’s experiences.

REC Expert Advisory Group for RE

40.3    The Clerk read an email from Liz Pope informing members that she had applied and been selected for the Group .She was currently working on the content of the RE Review and requested that if any members could recommend some good RE resources by emailing her it would be much appreciated. She was also on the REC Qualifications group advising on the new GCSE and A level criteria.

Birmingham

40.4    Mr Platnauer raised the issue of recent press coverage regarding the alleged in appropriate Muslim involvement in some Birmingham schools. Members agreed no action was required from SACRE as Kent schools were aware they could ask for advice if required. Mr Foster would remind all schools via the e-bulletin of the Spring Headteacher and Governor briefings which outlined  the status of RE in schools and that SACRE was responsible for determining the locally agreed syllabus.

Royal Society of the Arts (RSA)

40.5    Mr Foster would provide the link to a very interesting report: Schools with Soul which offers a very powerful and original analysis of school-based provision for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development.

http://www.thersa.org/action-research-centre/learning,-cognition-and-creativity/education/reports-and-events/reports/schools-with-soul

NASACRE briefing -SMSC.

40.6    Following the AGM, Mr Foster reported NASACRE had published 20 ideas for SACRE’s to think about. He was pleased to report that Kent had either tried or accomplished many of the points.

SACRE

Tuesday 10 March 2015 - County Hall, Maidstone

Wednesday 17 June 2015 -Outside Venue

Monday 23 November 2015 - County Hall, Maidstone

SACRE  Briefing meetings at Oakwood House, Maidstone.

Monday 2 February 2015

Monday 11 May 2015

Monday 19 June 2015

All meetings start at 9.30am

SACRE

Tues 25 November 2014 - Darent, County Hall, Maidstone-Mr Gough attend

Tuesday 10 March 2015 - County Hall

Wednesday 17 June 2015 - outside Venue - Academy?

Monday 23 November 2015 – County Hall

Briefings at Oakwood House, Maidstone

Monday 13 October 2014

Monday 2 February 2015

Monday 11 May 2015

Monday 19 October 2015

All meetings start at 9.30am

Mr Manion welcomed members to the 13^th century church where he had been a lay preacher until the previous year.The church was part of the benefice of Upper Deal and members were intrigued to climb the steps of the Bell Tower and admire the magnificent view. The meeting concluded with a light lunch

and members agreed to make a donation of £100 towards church funds in appreciation for hosting the meeting.