Hampshire County Council Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education Meeting

Apologies have been received from:

·         Group A

o   John Chandler – Roman Catholic Representative

o   Danny Habel – Jewish Representative

o   Charmian Harrison – Methodists Representative

o   Yasmeen Hussain – Muslim Representative

o   Elizabeth Jenkerson – Baha’i Representative

o   Rhian Jones - Salvation Army Representative

·         Group B

o   Jeff Williams – Church of England

·         Group C

o   Maureen Barnes - Teachers' Liaison Panel

o   Julie Kelly - Teachers' Liaison Panel

·         Co-opted Members

o   Alasdair Richardson - Co-opted Member for Higher Education

Jon Hamer was in attendances as the deputy for Group C.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

There were no deputations.

The Chairman noted that they had been made aware that both Charmian Harrison, Methodists representative and Lisa-Marie Taylor, Buddhist Representative had decided to stand down from Group A on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education. The Chairman thanked them both for their contribution throughout their time on the Council.

The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education noted that David Bothwell had recently passed away. David had been a founding member on the Living Different group and the Council reflected on his contribution to RE within Hampshire and further afield.

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the discussions of the Monitoring Group at its recent meeting on the 24 May 2023. It was noted that SACRE had a statutory responsibility to monitor the effectiveness of the locally agreed syllabus.

Members noted a summary of the following areas discussed by the Monitoring Group:

·         RE and SEND

·         RE CPD

·         SACRE Monitoring Visits

·         Reports from Primary and Secondary Ofsted Visits

·         Information gathered from other inspector/Advisor visits

·         Update on teacher vacancies and ITE provision

·         Survey into KS4 Provision

Resolved

That the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education notes this Monitoring Group report.

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing feedback from the Constitution Review Task and Finish Group following its meeting on the 28 April 2023.

Members noted that the Task and Finish Group had reviewed the existing Constitution and had decided it required an update to clarify several sections and to make the document more accessible. It was also decided to add a Code of Conduct for SACRE members and to clarify the compositions of the four Groups which form SACRE.

In addition to this SACRE noted the proposed amendments to SACRE’s Quoracy and rules for substitute members.

The Chairman of the Task and Finish Group expressed their thanks to the Officers who supported the group’s work.

Resolved

That the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education supports the proposed update to their Constitution included as Appendix 2 to the report ahead of consideration and approval by the County Council.

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of Key National and Local RE Matters.

Members noted several initiatives funded by the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, the largest grant giving body supporting RE. Members also noted The National RE Hubs Project, a national scheme to create a central website for LAs, universities, SACREs, Museums, ITT providers, RE groups and advisors across England and Wales.

Members received an overview of the Association of University Lecturers in RE (ALURE) efforts in relation to Secondary Initial Teacher Education, noting the current issues on recruitment. Members also received an update on the National Association of SACREs, the national body representing SACREs.

Resolved

That the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education notes the report.

The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education noted that there were several vacancies on the Council and that, whilst being mindful of the proposed changes in the draft Constitution, recruitment needed to be undertaken to fill these vacancies.

Resolved

That the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education notes the verbal update on membership.