Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Rev Dr James Walters, Cllr Stephen Stark, Cllr Siobhan Baillie and Liam Whitton. An apology for lateness was received from Cllr Phil Rosenberg.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was announced that the London Diocesan Board of Schools had informed the Clerk that Liz Wolverston had retired and was to be replaced by Mary Thorne.

Members resolved to thank her for her contribution to the Committee over many years.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2016.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2016.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters arising

With regard to vacancies on the body, as noted at Item 3 above, there would be a new Church of England member. The Clerk had written to the Roman Catholic diocese seeking a new RC representative, but no nomination had been received as of yet.

It was noted that Swiss Cottage School’s Determination had expired. The Clerk had written to the school to inform them of this. Members noted that a number of schools had not applied for Determinations and wondered if they were complying with the legislative requirement to have a daily act of collective worship of a broadly Christian character. The Professional Advisor clarified that it was OFSTED’s duty to check that schools were complying with the law; SACREs could merely advise and warn schools if they were not conducting such collective worship.

To note the list of schools with and without Determinations and the Determination expiry dates.

To consider the Determination applications from Beckford School and Kingsgate Schools.

Determination paperwork had been received from Beckford and Kingsgate schools. The Professional Advisor had also been liaising with Frank Barnes school and would be meeting with the Headteacher shortly.

It was noted that Christopher Hatton School’s Determination would be expiring on 11^th June 2017. The Clerk would write to the school to inform them of this.

                                                            ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

A school visit had taken place on Monday 6th February. Peter Ginnings reported on the visit. He noted that the different Key Stage groups met at separate assemblies, as it was not possible to accommodate all pupils in the hall.

The papers submitted showed that the population of the school was 53% Muslim and so the school had applied for a Determination as collective worship of a ‘broadly Christian character’ may not seem appropriate for the majority of the pupils.

Mr Ginnings said that the children seemed engaged with the assembly and that they had talked to the Headteacher. Councillor Tomlinson said he had asked the Headteacher about whether they were recognising Ramadan in their collective worship plans. 

There was concern that parents had not been consulted over the application for a Determination. The Head had said that consultation had not taken place because no change was proposed, as the school already had a Determination and it was merely seeking to renew it. It was noted that there had been no withdrawals or complaints about collective worship.

Members noted that the guidance said that parents should be consulted as part of the application process. As such, they suggested that the letter to the school ask them to gather feedback from parents on collective worship in the school.

Members agreed to grant the Determination.

Following the publication of the agenda, an email had been received from the clerk to Kingsgate’s governing body confirming that it had approved the application to renew its Determination.

A visit to the school had taken place on Monday 6^th February. Councillor Tomlinson praised the school’s assembly and Peter Ginnings felt that the school had submitted a higher calibre of application than many other schools.

Councillor Rosenberg noted that the figures provided in the application form showed the school population was 70% Muslim. He wondered if there was historical data showing how the composition of the school population had changed, as had been provided by Beckford.

Ann Boater praised the school’s assembly plan which made involved a number of titles which were questions. She said that it was desirable to raise queries with children and to make them think, as a counterweight to dogmatism.

Members agreed to grant the Determination.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT a Determination be granted to Beckford Primary School;

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

(iii)         THAT a letter be sent to Christopher Hatton School reminding them that their Determination was due to expire on 11th June.

ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

To consider the final draft of the Camden SACRE annual report for academic year 2015-16.

Consideration was given to the draft Annual Report of Camden SACRE.

It was noted that the report needed to be amended to clarify that login details for the NASACRE website should be obtained from the Clerk.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the report be agreed, subject to the amendment above.

(ii)          THAT the report be circulated to the Department of Education, NASCARE and the Local Authority.

To consider guidance on Ramadan to be issued on behalf of SACRE to schools.

Consideration was given to the Ramadan guidance.

Shahanaz Begum said that there was an updated version of the document that included letters to parents and schools. She would send it through to the clerk for subsequent distribution to schools.

                                                            ACTION: SB

It was suggested that dates for Ramadan for the next 5 or 10 years be added so that the document would be useful to refer to in future. It was noted there was a degree of approximation in giving dates, as the start of the month in the Muslim lunar calendar was based on the sighting of the moon.

Councillor Rosenberg asked that the guidance on Jewish festivals be circulated with the Ramadan guidance.

RESOLVED –

THAT updated versions of the guidance on Ramadan and on Jewish religious festivals be drafted and circulated.

·         National matters

·         Local matters

The Professional Advisor, Lesley Prior, updated members on NASACRE matters.

NASACRE was currently conducting a survey of its members, and there was also an RE Council survey taking place, which those involved in RE were encouraged to fill in.

On 6^th March, there was a one-day conference in Birmingham on liberal perspectives within Christianity and Islam, and the SACRE was asked to consider whether they wished to send someone. The fee would be £75.   

The NASACRE AGM would be on 16^th May in York. The keynote speakers would be Joyce Miller and Aaqil Ahmed. It was suggested that the Chair be asked if he wished to go and, if he was not able to, the invitation would be circulated for other members if they were interested.

                                                                        ACTION: Clerk to SACRE (VS)

RESOLVED –

THAT the update be noted.

To consider, amend and update a directory of places of worship in the borough.

Consideration was given to a list of places of worship in the borough.

Members commented that the list seemed to be a work in progress, as it did not give address details for all entries. In addition, Councillor Quadir noted that there were only 9 mosques listed, whereas he believed there were more buildings used as mosques in the borough.

Members asked for further liaison with the Communities and Third Sector team and other officers to see if a more comprehensive and up-to-date list could be created.

There was no other business.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 3^rd May 2017 at 5.30pm in Camden Town Hall.

The next meeting would be on 3^rd May 2017 at 5.30pm in Camden Town Hall.