Agenda and minutes

That it be agreed that this meeting of SACRE be held as a remote meeting.

RESOLVED –

THAT it be agreed that this meeting of SACRE be held as a remote meeting.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair announced: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for six months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.’

Any other announcements

There were no other announcements.

Apologies for absence were received from Lynndy Levin, Felicity Djerehe and Councillor Nasim Ali.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2021.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2021.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To note the membership of Camden SACRE.

Consideration was given to the list of members of Camden SACRE.

The Clerk informed the meeting that Luke Browne had indicated his wish to resign from SACRE due to pressure of work.

Mr Browne had been recruited from the secondary RE network, and it was suggested that the primary and secondary RE networks could be approached to seek another volunteer.

It was also noted that there would be changes in the membership of Panel D following the local elections in May. Councillor Higson, who was standing down at that election, was thanked for her service.

RESOLVED –

THAT the list of members be noted, subject to the amendment above removing Mr Browne.

Report of the Professional Advisor to SACRE.

To note the schools with Determinations and to consider applications for new Determinations.

Consideration was given to the list of schools with and without Determinations; and to the Determination applications from Christopher Hatton and Kingsgate schools.

It was noted that SACRE only had responsibility for Determinations for community schools. Voluntary aided schools and academies were therefore not on the list.

It was noted that both Christopher Hatton and Kingsgate schools had a large percentage of Muslim pupils, and members said that it was important that some assemblies reflected the religious background of those pupils’ families. Members expressed the view that it was not clear what assemblies and collective worship at the school would be like from the paperwork submitted – and so suggested that the application form could be amended to request more information.

The meeting agreed to grant Determinations to both Christopher Hatton and Kingsgate schools. SACRE members said they would like to try and visit those schools, as well as others making applications, in order to see assemblies for themselves.

It was noted that West Hampstead’s Determination had expired. The school would be written to in order to inform them of this.

It was also noted that the Fleet and Frank Barnes Determinations would be expiring soon. These schools would be written to and be asked to consider re-applying.

                                                            ACTION: Clerk to SACRE

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT a Determination be granted to Christopher Hatton School;

(ii)          THAT a Determination be granted to Kingsgate School;

(iii)         THAT West Hampstead School be informed their Determination had expired;

(iv)         THAT Fleet and Frank Barnes schools be advised of the pending expiry of their Determination and the process for re-applying.

Report of the Professional Advisor to SACRE.

Members are asked to consider a report from the Professional Advisor on the process for revising the Agreed Syllabus.

Consideration was given to a report of the Professional Advisor to SACRE.

The Professional Advisor, Lesley Prior, introduced the paper. She clarified that Local Authorities, advised by SACREs, had a legal requirement to review their agreed syllabi every five years. The LA had to convene an agreed syllabus conference (ASC) to do so.

Currently, Camden used a London version of the Hampshire syllabus. Discussion with the Primary School RE network suggested that teachers attending were keen to see the current syllabus continue, as they were becoming familiar with and confident with delivering it.

The Chair said that it was important to involve the RE working party with this, and to explore the other options available. She suggested that a representative from Hampshire be invited to a meeting and a survey of teachers be carried out.

                                                            ACTION: Chair & Professional Advisor

It was agreed that an ASC be convened once there had preparatory work completed and nominating bodies had been approached as to who they wished their representatives to be (if they were not the same individuals who were members of SACRE).

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the report be noted;

(ii)          THAT an Agreed Syllabus Conference be convened. 

Report of the Professional Advisor.

Camden SACRE is asked to consider the draft annual report for 2020-21.

Consideration was given to the draft annual report.

Ms Prior informed the meeting that the format of the report had changed from previous years to fit in with the NASACRE suggested template. She would liaise with the Chair and officers to complete the sections in red where information was not currently known to her.

Once the report was finalised, it would go to the DfE, NASACRE and the Local Authority.

RESOLVED –

THAT the draft report be agreed, subject to the provision of updated information to complete it.

To consider updates from the Chair and the Professional Advisor on local and national RE matters, and the NASACRE briefing.

Members considered updates on local and national RE matters.

The Chair reported that she had attended the primary heads meeting to introduce herself and the role of SACRE.

The Professional Advisor reported on the latest NASACRE briefing and informed members that the next NASACRE AGM would be in Birmingham on 23^rd May. Members who were interested in attending were asked to contact the Clerk.

RESOLVED –

THAT the updates be noted.

There was no other business.