Agenda and minutes

Reflections were given by Lynsey Norris.

Apologies for absence were received from Elizabeth Moore (NAHT), Jill Chandar Nair, Cherry Edwards

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

Dr Tanweer Ahmed MBA took the opportunity to advise the Committee that this would be his last attendance at SACRE due to his occupational commitments. He nominated his colleague as a replacement. The Chairman thanked Dr Ahmed for his service to the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23rd March 2021 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that he had not received any correspondence since the previous meeting. 

(To receive a report from Gill Georgiou, Diocesan RE Advisor, which provides the Committee on a RE research review undertaken by Ofsted)

The Chairman invited Gill Georgiou, Diocesan RE Adviser, to present the findings of the research review undertaken by Ofsted to the committee.

Ms Georgiou explained that research reviews had been undertaken by Ofsted which have sought to establish a view as to what a good quality education may look like across different curriculum subjects. The review into RE was led by Dr Richard Kueh, Ofsted lead for RE, and was published in May 2021. Following these reviews, Ofsted inspectors intends to visit schools to assess teaching and learning across all subjects, including RE. While not being a categorical checklist, the review offers schools an overview of what could typically be expected of them in terms of high quality religious education. For example, the delivery of RE should focus on substantive, disciplinary and personal knowledge.

Ms Harrison noted that in Lincolnshire, for the past 18 months, the training and documentation schools received by schools from her and GG had included substantive and disciplinary knowledge as detailed within the findings.

Appreciating the expanse and depth of religions and faiths, the Committee registered their concern that some beliefs couldn't be given the time necessary to learn in depth. In addition, they felt it was important that RE teachers had contextual knowledge of the lifestyles that accompany faiths and beliefs. Ms Georgiou explained that resources were shared with RE teachers that offered contextual ‘lived’ experiences of faiths and religions. This was of particular benefit to those who wouldn't be able to access those experiences personally.

The Committee asked what enforcement measures were in place to ensure adherence to the allocated RE teaching time. Ms Georgiou explained that the recommended time was approximately one hour a week from key stage one onwards. In Local Authority maintained schools RE was held accountable by Ofsted. If the provision of RE was significantly below one hour a week, Ofsted would enquire how students could build appropriate knowledge within the time allocated. Accountability for provision within academies RE falls within the schools' funding agreement and responsibility for ensuring this falls to the ESFA. However, compliance would still be inspected by Ofsted.

RESOLVED

That the Ofsted review of be received and the comments made noted.

(To receive an update from Gill Georgiou, Diocesan RE Advisor)

The Chairman invited Gill Georgiou, Diocesan RE Adviser, to update the Committee on the delivery of Diocesan education.

Ms Georgiou explained that training and support continued to be delivered virtually; she felt that virtual delivery allowed for a greater volume of training. Church of England and Methodist schools continued to be supported by Ms Georgiou to help prepare for their Church School inspection (SIAMS).

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.

(To receive a report from Wendy Harrison, RE Advisor, and  Jill Chandar-Nair, Inclusion and Attendance Manager, which provides the Committee with detail of SACRE funding in England)

The Chairman invited Wendy Harrison, RE Advisor, to present the report to the Committee.

Ms Harrison explained that NASACRE recently put out a FOI (freedom of Information) request to all Local Authorities to explain how their SACREs were funded. She advised that funding to Local Authorities had been reduced for some time and this had resulted in some SACREs being under-funded. A survey carried out in 2017 revealed that a reduction in funding had then resulted in many SACREs being unable to carry out their statutory duties. The 2021 NASACRE report found that, despite widespread under funding plus having to deal with Covid, many SACREs had continued to meet regularly. While Lincolnshire County Council has maintained the same level of funding for some years, the amount has not increased to meet needs. The NASACRE report quotes government guidance which says that SACRE funding should come from the CSSB (Central Schools Services Block). Funding for Lincolnshire SACRE does not come from this source. The Chairman will seek further information on this matter. It was noted that the 5 year review of the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus would have to begin in summer 2022. It was not anticipated that any major changes would be necessary but some amendments and additions would need to be made in order to bring the document up to date and to respond to teachers’ needs. The 2022-23 budget would have to take this into account.

The Committee appreciated that Local Authority funding for education was restricted overall, , so pressure for additional support would not necessarily be appropriate, particularly when other curriculum subjects did not have an advisory body to support them. Ms Harrison understood budgetary reductions were commonplace but stated that SACRE was a statutory body with specific responsibilities, including the locally agreed syllabus. Religious education differs from other subjects which sit within the national curriculum and receive support in different ways.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

(To receive an update from Wendy Harrison, RE Advisor, which advises the Committee on the arrangement on school education on Hinduism)

The Chairman invited Wendy Harrison, RE Adviser, to advise the Committee on a recent report into Hinduism in Schools.

Ms Harrison explained that a report was published by 'InsightUK' which detailed disquiet with how Hinduism was taught within some schools in the UK. While the report raises some important points, the evidence base sometimes lacks rigor. However, it was considered that the Committee's attention should be drawn to it for reference, especially as Hinduism is a compulsory part of the agreed syllabus..

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.

(To receive an update from Wendy Harrison, RE Advisor, which advises the Committee on work carried out with schools)

The Chairman invited Wendy Harrison, RE Adviser, to update the Committee on her recent work within schools.

Ms Harrison advised that that training and support continued to be delivered virtually but she had been requested recently to visit schools in person. She felt that this would increase later on in the year as restrictions regarding COVID were eased.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.

(To receive an update from Wendy Harrison, RE Advisor, which advises the Committee on the NASACRE Conference)

The Chairman invited Wendy Harrison, RE Adviser, to update members about on this year's NASACRE conference.

Ms Harrison advised that nobody from Lincolnshire SACRE had been able to attend this year's NASACRE Conference. However, a summary of the conference could be found on the NASACRE website.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted.

(A volunteer is sought to undertake reflections at the next meeting)

Jennifer King volunteered to do the reflections at the next meeting.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be held on 23 November 2021 at 2.00 p.m.