Agenda item

(A report by Wendy Harrison, RE Adviser, which summarises

inspectors’ judgements on schools’ provision for pupils’ SMSC

development in those schools inspected by OFSTED since the last

report presented to SACRE)

SACRE received a report by Wendy Harrison, in connection with the summary of inspectors' judgements on schools' provision for pupils' development in those schools inspected since by OFSTED since the last report presented to SACRE on 11 July 2017.

Wendy Harrison stated that those schools which had received negative comments from the inspectors at the last meeting had been written to and most had taken up her offer of support.

Comments by SACRE and the responses of officers, where appropriate, included:-

·         The comments made by inspectors in the provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development were inconsistent in quality. This needed to be brought to the attention of Ofsted. Officers stated that this had happened on numerous occasions in the past with little success and to date there had not been any standardisation in their reporting methods.

·         The monitorin inspection of The West Grantham Academy St John's, Grantham, had taken place over two days. The inspectors recognised that the school was taking action to overcome the problems detailed in their first inspection and that the major safeguarding issues were being addressed. Councillor Mark Whittington stated that the school was in his electoral Division and that he was prepared to offer the school his help if required. Wendy Harrison to offer further support to the school, following her first visit.

·         A query was made in relation to the teaching of RE in Secure Units? Officers stated that there was no statutory duty to provide for the teaching of RE in Secure Units but they were prepared to offer any support if it was required. Officers stated that they were working with students at Hill Holt Wood (which took young people not engaged in mainstream education) on British Values. The meeting agreed that the work with young people at Hill Holt Wood should be discussed at the next meeting. Councillor Jackie Brockway stated that she would speak to Debbie Barnes, Executive for Children's Services, about the provision of RE in Secure Units.

RESOLVED

(a) That the comments made by SACRE together with the responses of officers, be noted.

(b) That the following schools receive a letter from the Chairman congratulating them on the positive remarks made by the inspectors:-

Waddingham Primary School, Gainsborough; Morton Trentside Primary School, Gainsborough; Bourne Elsea Park CE Primary Academy, Bourne; Waddington Redwood Primary School, Lincoln; St Peter and St Paul Catholic Voluntary Academy, Lincoln; The Barnes Wallis Academy, Lincoln; Caistor Yarborough Academy, Market Rasen; Ambergate Sports College, Grantham; The Ash Villa, South Rauceby, Sleaford.

(c) That the following schools receive a letter from the Chairman, expressing concern about various weaknesses identified by OFSTED:-

South View Community Primary School, Peterborough; Weston St Mary CE Primary School, Spalding; Skegness Academy, Skegness.

(d) That the following schools be visited by officers to discuss specific concerns identified by OFSTED:-

Weston St Mary CE Primary School, Spalding and the West Grantham Academy St John's, Grantham.

(e) That the provision for pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development at Hill Holt Wood be discussed at the next meeting.