Agenda item

28.1    Mr  Foster reported on the following:-

·         BBC Radio Kent Interview 10.1.14 - Future of RE in Kent schools. Issues raised included Academies programme, changes to GCSE & A Level exams, introduction of new National Curriculum & RE’s position, plight of lack of RE specialist teachers in schools.

·         Meeting with Roger Gough – KCC Cabinet Member for Education 16.1.14.

·         Present – Roger Gough, Simon Webb (senior School Improvement Adviser) for Sue Rogers, Steve Manion – Chair SACRE, Nicky Younosi – Vice Chair, Michael Northey, Richard Tyson, Allan Foster.

·         Agenda items – RE in Kent schools, Future of Youth SACRE & ELS involvement, SACRE’s interaction with Education Cabinet Committee

·         AF updated on recent SACRE Annual Report, Ofsted report and RE Review & issues raised and how these are concerns in Kent. Also raised concerns about removal of Syllabus and support materials from Kenttrustweb.

·         ELS to support with HT briefings to promote responsibilities for RE – AF to provide briefing paper to SW

·         Survey via Governors if required – AF to speak to Linda Lissimore

·         Youth SACRE – discussion re annual event in autumn – NY suggested that KCC might provide additional funding for this – RT rejected this idea on grounds that initial event had not required funding. AF suggested that a business case for additional funding could be made if appropriate.

·         RG indicated he would like to be kept involved with SACRE developments – perhaps by attending Briefing meetings, or a future meeting – invited to November meeting. Annual report to be agenda item at future Education Cabinet Committee meeting.

·         Following this meeting suggestion that RG be asked to write to Michael Gove raising Kent’s concerns. Letter prepared and sent to SM & NY to send to RG  on 8.2.14

• Mr Maddison commented he would have liked to have had sight of the letter in order to secure All party support.
• Freedom of Information requests – 1. 30.12.13. Collective Worship exemptions (Mail on Sunday) – nil determinations. 2. 28.1.14. Access to Syllabus (Canterbury Christchurch student) – CD-Rom prepared and provided
• KESLI web page development –http://www.kelsi.org.uk/curriculum_and_pupil_learning/curriculum/re.aspx  Original web pages removed and documents deleted. Some confusion within ELS over documents on SACRE pages of Kent.gov.uk. Replacement copies of Syllabus, non-statutory Guidance, Shaping the Spirit, Gathering Together, Sikhism Transition Unit booklet, & DCFS Guidance to Schools. Currently only Non-statutory Guidance & DCFS on KELSI. Syllabus (statutory doc) linked to Kent.gov.uk.  Support documents for Sikhism, SMSC & CAW will need updating and removal of ASK logos and links. Discussions are ongoing.
• CPD event for EYFS  - report to follow
• CPD event for Primary non-specialist teachers 24.2.14 10 attended, led by Liz Pope. V Good feedback. Two other events cancelled due to low numbers.
• Westhill Awards 2014 – theme Education into Diversity – generating compelling learning experiences in RE for young people relevant to today’s context. Applications closed in March and Members were requested to email Mr Foster any theme suggestions for a Kent bid.
• Very recent invitation via NASACRE for teacher representatives to join the new Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for RE. Similar groups have been set up to implement the new National Curriculum. The RE EAG will have the same kind of task, building on the new national framework from the RE Review. Closing date for applications is 11^th March 2014.
• Mrs Corbyn requested this be advertised on the Kent Bulletin. Mr Northey agreed to speak to Mrs Rogers to achieve urgent action, in the hope that a Kent teacher could have input into Mr Gove’s committee.
• Ms Burke voiced her opinion that the teaching of RE in schools was in a general mess and members tried to convince her a good channel for her  anxieties would be to join the advisory Group.