Agenda and minutes

There were no announcements.

Apologies for absence were received from Lynn Trigg and Alice Fuller. Apologies for lateness were received from Shahanaz Begum.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November 2014.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November 2014.

The Chair highlighted that he had not been able to go with the group visiting Gospel Oak school and so the first sentence of the last paragraph on page 2 should read “The Committee were informed that the SACRE visit to the school had been on Rosh Hashana”.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November 2014 be approved, subject to the above amendment.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Chair welcomed the circulation of the list of schools with Determinations and those without, and asked that this be a standing item on future SACRE agendas.

The Professional Advisor to SACRE, Lesley Prior, said that SACREs should aim to look two terms ahead at schools whose Determinations were going to expire. This would give schools a chance to consult parents and governors about renewal and time for SACRE to arrange a visit.

Ms Prior said that she had been in touch with a number of schools, including Torriano Juniors, Rhyl, Primrose Hill and Brecknock.

Michelle Chalibamba said that Hampstead School, which she taught at, had had a Determination from 2004-09 and that the table should be amended to reflect this. She said that her school had applied for a renewal in 2009 but it had been refused.

She highlighted that the school was very keen to obtain a Determination and had sent some paperwork relating to this application to the Professional Advisor and Clerk. Members said that a SACRE visit would be arranged as soon as possible to make a judgment on whether to grant the Determination and whether the content in assemblies was what they considered ‘collective worship’. It was mentioned that sometimes Determinations were refused when members felt that an assembly was not engaging in ‘collective worship’.

It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the school to inform them that the Determination application had been received by the Professional Advisor and that SACRE would try to arrange a visit to the school soon.

                                                            ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

The Chair suggested that it would be helpful to have a pro forma to use for SACRE visits. It was agreed that he, the Professional Advisor and the Clerk would meet to discuss the approach to take to Determination renewals.

                                                            ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the comments above be noted

(ii)          THAT the Clerk write to Hampstead School

(iii)         THAT a meeting be arranged between the Chair, Professional Advisor and Clerk to discuss Determinations.

An oral report from SACRE members who visited the school.

The Chair, Rev. Dr. James Waters, gave an oral report on the visit he and Shahanaz Begum made to Fitzjohn’s School.

He reported that they had been impressed with the assembly they had witnessed. As the school did not have a Determination, the assembly was of a broadly Christian character and was focused on community, values and ethics. There was a moment for quiet reflection during the assembly, which gave children the opportunity to pray if they wished.

It was noted that there had been no withdrawals from collective worship, indicating that it was able to meet the wishes of parents from non-Christian backgrounds.

To consider the Camden SACRE annual report.

TO BE TABLED AT THE MEETING

The Professional Advisor reported that she had produced the draft Annual Report for Camden SACRE for 2013-14 and had circulated it to the Chair to add a foreward. She said that the final report would be sent to NASACRE and the Director of Children, Schools and Families.

When the foreward had been added, the report would be circulated to SACRE members.

                                                            ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

To note Camden SACRE’s January 2015 briefing to schools.

The meeting noted the SACRE briefing that had been sent to schools.

To note the letter from Lord Nash to SACREs.

The meeting noted the letter from Lord Nash.

Concern was voiced about the letter, which did not display a great deal of knowledge about the sector. It implied that SACRE had jurisdiction over faith schools when this was not the case.

Members were also concerned about the cuts in teacher training places available for RE. It was also noted that there were fewer job vacancies for RE specialists, given the fact that RE was not part of the English Baccalaureate.

To note the DfE guidance on promoting British Values as part of SMSC education in schools.

Members noted the DfE guidance. The Chair said that the Council was organising an event for faith leaders at the British Library in conjunction with the Library’s programme of events on the 800^th anniversary of Magna Carta.

Concern was voiced about the short timescale of the government’s consultation on the Prevent strategy. It also took place over the Christmas period, making it even more difficult for interested parties to respond.

It was suggested that the next meeting could have the Counter-Terrorism Act on the agenda.

It was noted that there would be a conference on 19^th March which would be open to Camden and Islington RE teachers.

Tracey Edwards reported on the work she was doing to help other teachers with delivering RE teaching. She said a teacher from William Ellis had joined the school-to-school programme.

Lesley Prior highlighted that the NASACRE AGM would be on 21^st May. Camden was encouraged to send a delegate.

There was no other business.

The date of the next meeting will be 4^th June 2015.

The next meeting would be on Tuesday, 2^nd June 2015. The Clerk apologised for this date being wrongly recorded on the previous agenda.