Southampton City Council

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Meeting

Name: Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)
Start: 2024-07-08T15:30:00Z
End: 2024-07-08T19:30:00Z
Location: Council Chamber - Civic Centre

Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) - Southampton

Agenda

Published

Minutes

Published

Meeting Times

Scheduled Time

Start:
Monday, 8th July 2024
4:30 PM

End:
Monday, 8th July 2024
8:30 PM

Meeting Status

Status:
Confirmed

Date:
08 Jul 2024

Location:
Council Chamber - Civic Centre

Meeting Attendees

Public

Steve Deadman

Group A The Roman Catholic Church

Expected

Committee Member

Susanne Dawson

Group A United Reform Church

Expected

Committee Member

Neil Maddock

Group A Assemblies of God Representative

Expected

Committee Member

Ruth Gill

Group A The Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches

Expected

Committee Member

Imam Sayfullah Nasir

Group A Muslim Faith

Expected

Committee Member

SACRE Rep

Clare Wikeley

Group A Jewish Faith

Expected

Committee Member

Chris Davis

Group A Baptists (Southampton City Mission)

Expected

Committee Member

Mary Wallbank

Group A

Expected

Public

Joyce Wan

Group A Southampton City Mission

Expected

Public

SACRE Church of England Rep

Lucy Heptinstall

Group B CofE

Expected

Committee Member

Richard Wharton

Group B CofE

Expected

Public

SACRE -

Liz Allen

Group B CofE

Expected

Public

SACRE Group B

Rev Garry Roberts

Group B - CofE

Expected

Public

Sian Carr

Group C National Association of Head teachers (NAHT)

Expected

Co-Optee

Suzanne Underwood

Group C - Co-opted Member Secondary RE Lead Rep

Expected

Co-Optee

SACRE - Co-opted member

Chloe Foster

Group C - Polygon School

Expected

Public

Amelia Day

Group C - NEU Represenative

Expected

Co-Optee

SACRE - co-optee RE Lead

Ellen Brodigan

Co-opted Member Primary RE Lead Rep

Expected

Committee Member

Councillor Jaden Beaurain

Conservative

Expected

View Profile

Committee Member

Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City

Councillor Christie Lambert

Labour

Expected

View Profile

Committee Member

Councillor Sarah Wood

Liberal Democrat

Expected

View Profile

Committee Member

Councillor Phil Webb

Labour

Expected

View Profile

Co-Optee

David Vane

Council of the Faiths

Expected

Officer

Alison Philpott

SACRE Professional Adviser

Expected

Public

Timothy Tofts

Sounthampton Council of Faiths

Expected

Public

M\atthew Stone

Expected

Public

Chahal, Herjinder

Observer SACRE

Expected

Secretary

Democratic Support Officer

Ed Grimshaw

Expected

Agenda

1 Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

To elect the Chair and Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2023-2024.

Minutes It was noted that the constitution set out that elections should come with the start of the Academic year and not the start of the municipal year.. It was therefore resolved that the elections would take place at the next meeting.

3 Minutes of the Last Meeting including Matters Arising

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2024 attached.

Attachments:

Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 28 Jun 2024

Minutes RESOLVED: that the minutes of the last meeting held on 26th February 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

4 Welcome, Apologies, Changes Of Membership and Induction Process

To receive any apologies and changes to membership and welcome new members.

Attachments:

Document SACRE_members_handbook-1 28 Jun 2024
Document DRAFT - Who's who 2024 28 Jun 2024
Document DRAFT - School Overview 28 Jun 2024

Minutes SCRE noted the apologies of Mr Richard Wharton and Councillors Lambert and Wood.

In addition it was noted that this was the last meeting of Liz Allen. The Chair thanked her for all of her hard work over the years a wished her well for the future. It was also noted that Joyce Wan period of cover for Ellie Cousins had drawn to and end and that Ellie would be returning to future meetings.

Members noted that the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education reference handbook had been attached to the papers along with a draft of the local induction information pack for discussion. Members suggested an number of additions including a glossary of terms and acronyms; the potential to add more information on the monitoring visit; a training schedule; and the code of conduct.

It was agreed that the Chair and Vice chair with the support of the professional advisor would circulate a further draft for approval at the next meeting.

6 Westhill Grant Updates

To discuss any progress in relation to the submitting of the Westhill grant application.

Minutes Members discussed the idea of developing a grant proposal for a Westhill Grant.

It was suggested that a grant could be drawn together to fund an information programme that set out to debunk the myths and popular inaccuracies about other religions across the City.

A number of suggestions were broadly outline a possible ways to assemble access information to reach out to the City.

One suggestion was a number of short information films and inline presentations along those first shown on television but to link them to the City. Imam Sayfullah explained that he had been involved in a similar project “ I am Human” in Northampton prior to his move to this City.

The following links give an insight as to what this project produced.

https://www.ordinarytoucan.com/showcase/i-am-human

https://www.niff.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/I-Am-Human-Activity-Book-pages.pdf

It was agreed that a working group of members including Ruth Gill, Imam Sayfullah, Tim Tofts , Susan underwood and supported by the Council’s professional advisor Silas Bingley should work together to review the matter for the consideration at the next meeting.

7 Monitoring and Budget

To receive an update on SACRE’s budget.

Minutes It was explained that the budget review for the Service had now been completed at that and allocated. Members had expressed concerns over the level of professional support for monitoring visits had been listened to. It was explained that the allocated budget would allow for professional support on monitoring for schools supported by local authority however, it was noted that there would be a charge to Academy Schools.

Members that wanted to engage with the programme of monitoring visits and the drafting of the schedule of monitoring visits (including the potential of training) should contact the professional advisor so that a schedule could be drawn up.

It was considered that a training event for Members wishing to undertake monitoring could be explored. The vice chair explained that they could explore the possibilities of using Bittern Park Secondary for this.

8 National Ofsted report on Religious Education

To discuss the recently published National Ofsted report on religious education.

Link to the report

Deep and meaningful? The religious education subject report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Minutes Members noted that the National report into Religious Education had now been published Deep and meaningful? The religious education subject report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

Alison Phillpott talked through the report and discussed the findings made within it. It was noted that this was a useful document that would help to continue to provide a strong syllabus and increase the links between subjects throughout a child’s education as shown in Research review series: religious education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

9 Southampton Council of Faiths - Education Project

To review draft proposals for SCOF’s education project and take take on comments from the Standing Council.

Attachments:

Document SCOF Education Project Proposal 28 Jun 2024

Minutes Tim Tofts from the Council of Faiths outline how the much progress had been made in establishing a database that could be used by organisations seeking to help organisations to contact members of particular faith groups that would be willing and able to discuss their religions.

It was explained that work had been undertaken to create a proforma for schools that would outline exactly what it was they were requiring and what would be expected of any attendee including the length of time they would be required.

Members noted that this project was being led by the Council of Faiths with the support of the Silas and the Vice-Chair.

10 Feedback on Events

To receive feedback and updates from members of the SACRE on any events or training attended.

Minutes The Chair noted that she had attended the NSACRE conference and reported back to the meeting. The Chair stated that it was refreshing to see that the many of the ideas nationally discussed had already been implemented locally. It was noted that the many Council’s made a point of meeting in locations. The Chair suggested that this should explored locally as it allowed members to gain a greater understanding of religious establishments outside of their own. Members were requested to explore whether their own organisations would be amenable to hosting future meetings.

Members noted that this years “No Barriers” even would be held on the 28 November 2024. Members were requested to contact the Vice- Chair nearer the even should they wish to take part.

Previous Meetings

28th Apr 2025