
Meeting
Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) - Portsmouth City
Scheduled Time
Wednesday, 1st November 2023
4:30 PM
Wednesday, 1st November 2023
8:30 PM
Confirmed
01 Nov 2023
Mayfield School, Mayfield Road, Portsmouth PO2 0RH
Pastor Chris Thomas
Group A (Evangelical Church))
Expected
Beth Smith
Group C (Secondary)
Expected
Debbie Anderson
Expected
Karen Martin
Expected
Sue Bowen
Group B (Church of England)
Expected
sarah coote
Group A (Quaker - Society of Friends)
Expected
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
Group A (Muslim)
Expected
Reverend Sam Duddles
Group B (Church of England)
Expected
Reverend Ray Goddess
Group A (Methodist Church)
Expected
Samuel Hilsenrath
Group A (Jewish)
Expected
Taki Jaffer
Group D (local authority)
Expected
Elizabeth Jenkerson
Group A (Baha'i)
Expected

Jane Kelly
Group B (Church of England)
Expected
Kari Laing
Group C (Post 16)
Expected
Christine McMillan
Group A (United Reformed Church)
Expected
Rachael Osborne
Group C (Primary Headteacher)
Expected
Helen Reeder
Group C (Portsmouth Teachers' Liaison Panel)
Expected
Jaswant Singh-Digpal
Group A (Sikhi)
Expected
Barbara Spiegelhalter
Group A (Humanist)
Expected
Geoff Wade
Group A (Humanist - nominated reserve)
Expected
Geoff Wheeler
Group A (Baptist)
Expected
Jessi Wilson
Co-opted (Council of Portsmouth Students)
Expected
Cllr Kadir apologised he would have to leave at 5.30pm.
The Revd Sam Duddles, SACRE Chair, thanked Priv Mudada for her thought provoking words.
The short reflection was followed by a presentation by Sharon Rich, the Head of RE at Mayfield School.
The Revd Sam Duddles, SACRE Chair, thanked Sharon Rich for her presentation. Justine Ball thanked Portsmouth and the Head of School of Improvement for their support in enabling Chris May, Secondary Teaching and Learning Adviser for RE, to spend time with the school developing the RE curriculum.
The election for the Chair of the Portsmouth SACRE will be made by a way of a nomination and seconding procedure, followed by a majority vote decision. Those nominated must be aware of their nomination. If more than one nomination is made, an election will be held with each Group (A, B, C and D) having one vote. In the event of a 2:2 vote, there is no casting vote, and the status quo will be maintained until such time as a majority decision is reached. No other persons shall be entitled to vote. If one nomination is received, a vote will not be required.
The role of the Chair includes:
· Ensuring that the Portsmouth SACRE fulfils its statutory duties and responsibilities by having a clear grasp of the nature and make up of SACRE, what it is responsible for and what it can do beyond its statutory functions.
· Taking a leading role in the Portsmouth SACRE’s on-going process of self-evaluation and development.
· Ensuring the smooth and efficient running of SACRE meetings including making sure that the business of the meeting is dealt with and that all members can participate and contribute fully.
· Being the public face of the Portsmouth SACRE, representing it at public events, including interfaith events, and being a champion for religious education and collective worship in the local authority and its schools.
RECOMMENDED that the SACRE elects a Chair of the Portsmouth SACRE for 2 years with immediate effect.
Pastor Chris Thomas (Group A) proposed thanks to Revd. Sam Duddles for her chairmanship to date and this was endorsed by the SACRE.
RESOLVED to:
a) Elect Revd. Sam Duddles (Group B) as Chair of the Portsmouth for a two year term SACRE with immediate effect.
b) Thank Revd. Sam Duddles for her Chairmanship over the past two years.
- Document SACRE 14 June 2023 minutes 19 Oct 2023
Minute 20 Monitoring Group Report - Mosque visits for teachers and Ramadan advice Councillor Kadir (Group D) confirmed that Mr Ali of the Muslim Academy in Buckland is happy to set up a meeting to discuss the welfare of Muslim students during Ramadan. It was agreed this would take place on a Monday or Wednesday and Councillor Kadir will arrange a date with Revd. Sam Duddles.
Minute 20 MG Report - Teacher training and recruitment - Following a question from Michael Zeffert (Group A), Chris May informed the SACRE that there are a mix of specialist and non-specialist teachers teaching RE in Portsmouth and that recruitment and retention is not an active concern currently. Debbie Anderson, Head of School Improvement agreed, noting that the city has 14 MATS and currently two LA maintained schools - Mayfield School and St Edmund's Catholic School. Justine Ball, SACRE Advisor commented that the recently announced bursary should encourage more teachers to join the profession. She added that the SACRE would continue to monitor the situation and Revd. Sam Duddles added that this matter is discussed at the confidential Monitoring Group meeting.
Actions:
i. Meeting to take place at Muslim Academy to discuss the welfare of students in Ramadan - Councillors Kadir and Shah (Group D) and Revd. Sam Duddles, SACRE Chair.
Many SACREs find it useful to have their own Code of Conduct in place and in Portsmouth the SACRE has agreed to adopt the NASACRE exemplar code.
This report accompanies the current Code of Conduct and seeks its endorsement for a further academic year.
RECOMMENDED that SACRE endorses the Code of Conduct and the principles it espouses for the next 12 months and that it is considered again at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.
- Document SACRE Code of Conduct report 19 Oct 2023
- Document Appx A - SACRE Code of Conduct, 2023-24 19 Oct 2023
RESOLVED that SACRE endorses the Code of Conduct and the principles it espouses for the next 12 months and that it is considered again at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.
This report provides the SACRE with an opportunity to agree its Annual Report for the academic year 2022-23.
RECOMMENDED that SACRE:
a) Adopts the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23.
b) Recommends that the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education notes the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23 by 31 December 2023.
c) Makes a copy available for public inspection (on the Portsmouth City Council website) and sends a copy to the Secretary of State for Education and relevant organisations including NASACRE.
- Document SACRE Annual Report 2022-23 19 Oct 2023
- Document Appx A - Portsmouth SACRE Annual Report 2022-23 19 Oct 2023
Justine Ball explained that highlights from the past year, set out in the Annual report, included:
· Advice to schools which is a strength of the Portsmouth SACRE.
· The SACRE Monitoring Group which provides an opportunity to monitor RE delivery in schools and Collective Worship.
· The Directory of Places of Worship which is now on the National RE Hubs website.
· The Review of school websites which the SACRE undertook last year and which was a useful exercise.
· The annual review on withdrawals from RE and Collective Worship which will be repeated this year.
· Primary network meetings which are useful.
· The grant obtained and which enabled a session for teachers to attend a CPD event about Christianity and Diversity.
During discussion, Pastor Chris Thomas (Group A) enquired about whether pupils studying RE at GCSE were generally from a faith or non-faith background. Beth Smith, RE teacher at Mayfield School and Group C member, informed the SACRE that although she could not speak for schools in Portsmouth generally, at Mayfield they are generally non-religious with a very small minority coming from a faith background.
RESOLVED to:
a) Adopt the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23.
b) Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education notes the SACRE Annual Report 2022-23 by 31 December 2023.
c) Make a copy available for public inspection (on the Portsmouth City Council website) and sends a copy to the Secretary of State for Education and relevant organisations including NASACRE.
The Clerk confirmed that the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education would receive a copy of the SACRE Annual Report for noting at her meeting on 14 December 2023.
This report updates SACRE regarding its membership, training and other opportunities for the membership.
Recommended that SACRE:
a) Appoints Mr Michael Zeffert, as Jewish representative (Group A) following the resignation of Samuel Hilsenrath which was noted at the last meeting.
b) Notes the membership vacancies set out in paragraph 4 of this report and asks the Local Authority to approach relevant appointing bodies for representatives.
c) Notes that the SACRE has subscribed to NASACRE for the current academic year, that this allows members to attend its training sessions (set out in Appendix A to this report) free of charge and that members should take advantage of opportunity.
- Document Appx A - NASACRE Training Opportunities 2023-24 19 Oct 2023
- Document SACRE Membership report 19 Oct 2023
Regarding vacancies, it was noted that there are vacancies in Group A for representatives from Portsmouth Catholic Diocesan Office, Buddhist, Hindu, Salvation Army, Islam and other Christian denominations (1 each); Group B has one CofE vacancy; Group C has a vacancy for an Early Years representative and there were no current vacancies in Group D. The SACRE has been carrying these vacancies for some time.
It was noted that the appendix which set out the training opportunities from NASACRE had been appended to the item relating to the Annual Report (at pages 35-36 of the agenda pack). NASACRE training is really helpful and has Collective worship training on 20 November.
Actions:
i. Regarding the vacancy for a church of England representative (Group B) an approach to the Dioceses will be made - Jane Kelly (Group B)
RESOLVED that the SACRE:
a) Appointed Mr Michael Zeffert, as Jewish representative (Group A) following the resignation of Samuel Hilsenrath which was noted at the last meeting.
b) Noted the membership vacancies set out in paragraph 4 of this report and asks the Local Authority to approach relevant appointing bodies for representatives.
c) Noted that the SACRE has subscribed to NASACRE for the current academic year, that this allows members to attend its training sessions (set out in Appendix A to this report) free of charge and that members should take advantage of opportunity.
The group received updates on professional RE education and monitoring the effectiveness of RE and the first national results from the GCSE examination series in 2023. An update on implementation of Living Difference IV, including training in RE, was received.
RECOMMENDED that SACRE notes the findings of the Monitoring Group meeting.
- Document SACRE Monitoring Group report - November 2023 19 Oct 2023
Updates on 2023 GCSE Religious Studies examinations and known results
Chris May explained that Portsmouth specific data is not yet available but there is some information available for the Hampshire geographical area. Although GCSE entries nationally are up slightly, in Hampshire the number of entries has shown a slight downward trend for RE. An area of concern is that Hampshire is towards the bottom of the list of counties for uptake at GCSE and A Level. However, on outcomes, Hampshire is doing much better and is slightly above national average at GCSE. The problem therefore is declining number of entries, and this links back to the shortage of specialist RE teachers. More specific data will be available for the next cycle of SACRE meetings in the Spring term.
Other matters considered by the Monitoring Group
Justine Ball informed the SACRE that:
· The SACRE and Monitoring Group are always looking to support teachers’ CPD and sources of evidence of effectiveness of RE.
· Living Difference IV is now halfway through its lifecycle and she and Chris May will be starting work reviewing the syllabus with a focus on the golden threads and pondering time.
· There have not been many Ofsted reports which mention RE, and it is therefore hard to pull out themes. However, where RE is mentioned, the comments are positive.
· Anecdotally, there have been reports that the number of withdrawals from RE and Collective Worship have increased and the survey to track this will therefore be undertaken once again just after Christmas.
In discussion there were several questions, and the following information was provided:
· With fewer mainstream schools offering RE at GCSE and therefore, fewer entering, those who do sit exams are more likely to do better than a bigger cohort. However, students are expected to perform as well in RE as they do for other subjects, while a previous history of less curriculum time on the subject can result in some pupils being less confident.
· There is no information yet in the data on the difference in update or outcomes between genders. However, it was reported that at Mayfield School there is a 50:50 split between the genders studying RE in Year 10 in 2023/24.
· Pondering time is delivered very well by special schools and in most secondary schools. Primary schools need additional support in developing opportunities for pondering time and this is being addressed through the Primary Network alongside the development of resources and guidance how to deliver pondering time.
Revd.Sam Duddles, Chair SACRE, thanked Justine Ball and Chris May for all they are doing to support schools in Portsmouth.
The SACRE RESOLVED to note the findings of the Monitoring Group meeting.
This report provides the SACRE with the opportunity to review its constitution with a view to ensuring that it fulfils its functions and reflects the Portsmouth area. The SACRE constitution was approved on 20 November 2019.
Recommended that SACRE:
a) Considers whether the SACRE Constitution requires amendment or updating and, if so, appoints a Sub-Committee to oversee the work before making recommendations to the SACRE and thereafter the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.
OR
b) Confirms the SACRE Constitution (previously agreed on 20 November 2019) subject to the words "stated in 4.1" in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 being changed to read "stated in 3.1" and to further review in the Autumn term of 2024.
- Document SACRE Annual Constitution report 19 Oct 2023
- Document Appx A - SACRE Consititution, November 2019 19 Oct 2023
Pastor Chris Thomas (Group A) agreed that the areas for possible review as set out in the covering report seemed sensible. It was proposed that the SACRE membership be approached about creating small working groups to address each area and that these smaller group meetings could be held on Teams.
RESOLVED that SACRE:
a) Invited SACRE members to participate in small working group meetings on Teams to considers the membership for each Group (Group A members to consider Group A membership; Group B to review Group B membership etc).
b) Invited each working group to make recommendations to the SACRE about whether they would like to make amendments to the membership for their Group.
c) Noted that any amendments to the SACRE constitution will be presented to the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education.
d) Confirmed the SACRE Constitution (previously agreed on 20 November 2019) subject to the words "stated in 4.1" in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 should be changed to read "stated in 3.1".
It was noted that if it is not possible to find volunteers from each Group to review the membership of each Group, the SACRE constitution will be brought back for review in the Autumn term of 2024.
Please also see minute 38 below regarding the involvement of young people in a Youth SACRE.
This report provides the SACRE with an opportunity to review its agreed Allowances Policy and Procedures.
RECOMMENDED that SACRE adopts the SACRE Allowances Policy and Procedures for the next 12 months and that it is further reviewed at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.
- Document SACRE Allowances report 19 Oct 2023
- Document Appx A - SACRE Allowances Policy, June 2023 19 Oct 2023
- Document Appx B - Volunteer Expenses Claim Form 19 Oct 2023
RESOLVED that SACRE adopts the SACRE Allowances Policy and Procedures for the next 12 months and that it is further reviewed at the first SACRE meeting of the 2024-25 academic year.
The purpose of this report is to enable SACRE to consider key national and local RE developments.
RECOMMENDED that SACRE notes the report.
- Document SACRE National and Local RE Matters report 19 Oct 2023
· At the last SACRE meeting, the picture for encouraging new RE teachers into the profession looked bleak. Now, following a campaign by a number of organisations including NATRE, a Bursary has been announced, an open letter to the Secretary for Education has been published and a select committee has met to discuss recruitment and retention of RE teachers. It was conformed that the Bursary is £10,000.
· Culham St Gabriel's Trust continues to offer several initiatives including its leadership programme and C-teach and that these comprise high quality opportunities for RE teachers to develop.
· The RE Hubs project is growing and provides useful information in the local area. There is a link to RE Hubs in the report.
· Other useful resources (set out in the report) include the British library and the Jewish Museum in London
· GCSE results taken from NATRE - links there if want more detail on data currently available.
RESOLVED: To note the report.
Future dates:
Wednesday 12 June 2024 (venue to be confirmed)
Wednesday 6 November 2024 (venue to be confirmed)
All meetings will take place at 4.30pm at a place of worship or school. If no venue is available, meetings will take place remotely on Teams.
In discussion about the venue for the next meeting, Michael Zeffert (Group A) suggested that neutral venues were preferable. During discussion other members of the SACRE felt that it was important for members to visit different places of worship and experience alternative perspectives. Barbara Spiegelhalter (Group A) also noted that humanists do not have a place of worship. Jane Kelly (Group B) commented that the SACRE also visits schools and has held meetings at Portsmouth Guildhall in the past. Revd. Sam Duddles commented that the SACRE actively encouraged schools to visit places of religion and she felt that it was best practice for the SACRE membership to be open to such visits.
Actions:
i. SACRE members be invited to contribute their views about places of worship as venue for SACRE meetings - SACRE Clerk.
Christine McMillian (Group A) noted that 12-19 November is Interfaith Week and that the SACRE had not discussed it. Revd Sam Duddles noted that as Chair one of her roles is to be the public face of the Portsmouth SACRE, representing it at public events, including interfaith events, and being a champion for religious education and collective worship in the local authority and its schools. She explained that there have been attempts to bring together faith representatives from across the city, but these had not been successful.
RESOLVED to discuss Interfaith Week 2024 and future plans at the next meeting.
Christine McMillan had brought along some leaflets a leaflet of interfaith prayers and reflections in celebration of the Week of Prayer for World Peace (15-22 October 2023) and invited members to take a copy.
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