Agenda item

The SACRE received its draft Annual Report covering the period September 2011 to August 2012.  It was agreed that the Chair would add his introduction following the meeting.  This set out the work of the SACRE for the year, including the development of new guidance for Collective Worship and the activity to support RE in schools.  In addition to the examination results for August 2012, the report included a summary of the results of a survey undertaken by the SACRE with schools on the delivery of the Agreed Syllabus.  A further analysis of the results of the survey by phase was attached at Appendix 2, as requested at the last meeting.   It was noted that this gave an indication on the teaching of RE in Swindon Schools, but should be approached cautiously when drawing conclusions, due to the small sample.  For example only 4 out of the 16 schools who had responded, were primary schools.

Paddy Bradley (Head of Commissioning – Economy and Attainment) presented the examination results for Religious Education for 2012 as set out in the Annual Report.  He advised that there had been an increase in the number of students entered into public examination and all but one school had entered pupils for GCSE RE.  There was a slight decrease in the number of pupils achieving A to C at GCSE, but the level was above the national average.  However, there was anecdotal evidence through the surveys and local networks that schools were increasingly teaching RE in Year 10 and not Year 11.  It was anticipated that many schools would move away from providing RE short-course and this would represent a decrease in access to RE.  The SACRE noted that there had been a large increase in the number of pupils taken AS Level (from 19 to 57) and an increase in proportion of A-C grades.  There had been a slight decrease in the number of pupils taking A levels, but the proportion of A-C grades achieved had increased.   The numbers of pupils were small, and therefore it was difficult to compare across years, but overall the level of performance of pupils had generally been maintained over the last few years.  The SACRE were concerned that at least one school had not entered any pupils for RE examinations, and what this meant in terms of access to RE for pupils in the school.

It was recognised that Ofsted were no longer monitoring RE provision.

The SACRE discussed the impact of schools becoming academies.

In Swindon there was good collaboration between secondary academies and sharing of good practice through the subject based secondary learning and teaching group.  Lottie Rowe advised that it made a significant difference to the group when Katy Staples (SACRE Advisor) was able to attend, and it was agreed it was important to continue to fund her time for this purpose from the SACRE budget.   In future years, it was suggested that it may be appropriate to seek a contribution from the academies for this support.

It was understood that Academies were expected to teach a locally agreed syllabus as there was not a national curriculum.  Paddy Bradley (Head of Commissioning, Economy and Attainment) agreed to check on whether use of the locally agreed syllabus was specifically included in the funding agreements for Swindon schools.  

The SACRE received an update on its Development Plan, which had been discussed at the last meeting. The SACRE noted that £5,000 had been approved for its work in the next year and agreed a number of amendments to the programme.   Katy Staples advised of the training which had been available to schools this year, in particular on a self-purchase basis.

Mark Cawte suggested that he write to the Headteachers of academy schools to advise them of the continued support available from the SACRE.  Katy Staples suggested as part of the network meeting work at target 1b), that she begin to work with schools to identify local leaders of learning, which was a successful pilot activity in Bristol.  For the work on establishing a list of local faith groups (item 3b), David Howell advised that he would contact Youth for Christ who held a comprehensive list of Christian contacts in the area, which could be added to any baseline list available from the Interfaith network of all faith groups and contacts.

Resolved – 1) That the draft SACRE Annual Report attached as Appendix 1 to the Report be approved, subject to the typographical amendments advised at the meeting, and the SACRE Advisor be authorised to finalise the report including the Chair’s introduction, and to submit it to the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE).

2) That the summary of Swindon Examination Results for 2012 be noted, and SACRE continue to support all schools in Swindon in relation to the provision of Religious Education to all pupils.

3) That the analysis of SACRE Survey Results requested at the last meeting be noted.

4) That the SACRE endorse its Development Plan 2012-2014 as attached at Appendix ‘2’ and continue to implement it, subject to the amendments as follows:

·        1b) be amended to ‘Promoting High Standards of Teaching and Learning in RE’.

·        The target date for 3b) relating to the development of a directory of local people and places of faith be amended to September 2013, and Mark Cawte be included in list of those responsible on this action and that for 4b).

·        Where possible the indicative costs of actions be reduced or moved to future years, in order for the plan to be achieved within the SACRE’s £5,000 budget.

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