Agenda item

Katy Staples (SACRE Advisor) advised the SACRE of the significant national developments in RE since the last meeting as follows:

a)   It was noted that although RE did not count as one of the subjects which could be included in the English Baccalaureate, it was one of 8 subjects which would count for assessing progress made between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4.  The Chair welcomed the clarity that this decision brought to schools on the status of RE, but noted that this was reliant on proper assessment of attainment in RE.

b)   It was noted that national bursaries for Teachers of RE had been withdrawn, although some small amounts were still available from Culham St Gabriel’s charity.  There was concern that this would lead to a reduction in the number of subject specialist RE teachers.

c)    The Government had issued the consultation framework for a new national curriculum for England and invited comments by 16^th April 2013.  This includes in its introduction a re-stating of the duty for there to be a daily act of collective worship in schools, and the requirement to teach RE at every key stage. 

d)   The SACRE noted that Phase 2 of the RE Council’s RE curriculum review as underway.  Although RE was not included in the national curriculum, the RE Council’s review was taking into account the way in which other subjects will be assessed, so that assessment of RE can be in line with subjects such as Geography.

e)   The report of the All Parliamentary Party Group for RE had been published, and the SACRE Advisor circulated a summary.  It was agreed that the Clerk to the SACRE would circulate the link to the full report to all members after the meeting.  This was a comprehensive overview of the supply and support of RE.  It was noted that Robert Buckland MP was a member of the Group.  Sarah Lane-Cawte advised that Justin Tomlinson MP had agreed to be formally presented with a copy of the report at Haydonleigh Primary School in a few weeks’ time, and to be committed to looking at the issues it raises.

f)     The RE Quality Mark had now been achieved by 40 schools.  This was open to all schools and it was agreed that this should be promoted via schools online.  If a school did not want to apply for the quality mark, but was interested in self-evaluation, the criteria could be downloaded as an improvement tool from the Religious Education Quality Mark website (www.reqm.org).

g)   It was noted that RE was now included in the list of subjects for which a Specialist Leaders of Education (SLE) role was available and this was welcomed.   

h)   It was noted that the Tri-annual RE Report was due out from Ofsted in the next few months.  In addition, the report on GCSE RE was also due out soon.

i)     Katy Staples had attached as an Annex for information a perspective from John Keast, Chair of the RE Council on the current national approach to RE.

j)     The SACRE noted the NASACRE newsletter for Spring 2013, and the advertisement of the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) AGM ON 23^rd May 2013.  The SACRE did not usually send a representative, but as the Chair was keen to attend, it was agreed that this be supported, subject to the necessary budget being available. 

k)    Katy Staples confirmed that she had attended the Dillington House South West SACRE conference on 14^th March, and Victoria Misselbrook of Sevenfields School had also attended.  It was agreed that information on the Conference be reported to the next meeting.

Resolved  -

1.    That the update on national developments be noted.

2.    That the SACRE Clerk and Advisor make information on the RE Quality Mark available to schools via Schools Online.

3.    That the Clerk to the SACRE send to all Members of the SACRE a link to the full report from the All Parliamentary Party Group for RE.

4.    That the Chair of the SACRE be authorised to attend the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) AGM on 23^rd May, subject to the appropriate budget being available.

5.    That the SACRE receive information on the Dillington House South West SACRE conference at its next meeting.