Agenda and minutes

To elect a Vice-Chair for Camden SACRE for the remainder of the 2018-19 academic year.

Ann Boater was proposed and seconded as a nominee for Vice-Chair of Camden SACRE. There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED –

THAT Ann Boater be elected Vice-Chair of Camden SACRE for the remainder of the 2018-19 academic year.

Apologies for absence were received from Luke Dowding (Panel A).

There were no announcements.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2018.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2018.

Members asked for an update from Mr Rees at a future meeting as to the work officers of the Council were doing to encourage schools to pay attention to the importance of collective worship (and obtaining Determinations if necessary) and of Religious Education.

                                                            ACTION: Owen Rees (Camden Learning)

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To note the list of Camden schools with Determinations.

Consideration was given to the list of schools with Determinations.

Some members expressed concern that many schools did not have Determinations or had let their Determination lapse. They said that they did not feel that SACRE knew whether those schools without Determinations were providing their pupils with daily collective worship of a broadly or mainly Christian character. They asked that the Local Authority take measures to meet with Headteachers and to build links with governors on collective worship matters to ensure schools were meeting the legal requirements in this area of school life in Camden.

RESOLVED –

THAT the list of schools with Determinations be noted.

To consider the draft annual report for Camden SACRE.

Consideration was given to the draft Camden SACRE annual report.

Members suggested changes to the wording of Sections 1.1, 3, 4 and 5. It was also noted that, due to the relevant officer being on maternity leave, there were some queries whether the figures for RE exam results were comprehensive. The section about there being a 25% drop in GCSE full course exam entries should be removed. Members asked that the LA come to the next SACRE meeting with the answer as to whether there was a 25% drop or not.

                                                            ACTION: Owen Rees (Camden Learning)

RESOLVED –

THAT the report be agreed, subject to the amendments referred to above.

To consider a report from the Professional Advisor, including:

·         Information and correspondence regarding the Commission on RE report

·         Collective worship logging from Newham, and to discuss how it could be adapted for use in Camden

·         The NASCARE (National Association of SACREs) newsletter

The full Commission on RE report can be read here:

https://www.commissiononre.org.uk/final-report-religion-and-worldviews-the-way-forward-a-national-plan-for-re/

Consideration was given to a report of the Professional Advisor.

Claire Clinton, the Professional Advisor to SACRE, highlighted the collective worship self-assessment form which she sent to schools in Newham. She suggested that this could be adapted for use in Camden if SACRE and schools wished.

Members discussed the information and correspondence related to the Commission on RE (CoRE) report. There was a discussion about whether there should be a specific entitlement nationally to ring-fenced funds for SACREs. Members were of the view that, it would be good for SACRE  to liaise with local schools and see what it was they wanted and what the financial needs of SACRE to provide that would be.

Members agreed that a letter should go from the Chair of SACRE to the DfE with the SACRE’s views on the CoRE report as discussed at this meeting and the previous meeting. 

ACTION: Chair and Vice-Chair of SACRE and the Professional Advisor

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the report of the Professional Advisor be noted.

(ii)          THAT a letter be written to the DfE by the Chair of SACRE to notify them of the SACRE’s views in relation to the CoRE report.

To consider Ramadan guidance from Newham and if it could be adapted for use in Camden.

Consideration was given to the Ramadan guidance for Newham and to the advice that Camden had issued last year.

Members praised the Newham guidance and were particularly impressed by the model letter to schools. Councillor Ali raised concerns that there had been cases in Camden where he felt the communication between schools and parents on Ramadan fasting had not been satisfactory.

It was noted that Ramadan began on approximately 7th May, so guidance would have to go out to schools a week or two beforehand. It was agreed that comments would be sought from members by the end of March in order to be incorporated into the Camden guidance going out this year.

ACTION: Vinothan Sangarapillai (Clerk to SACRE) & Owen Rees (Camden Learning)

Members queried whether Education Welfare Officers still issued a card which stated which days could be taken off during Ramadan.

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the Newham guidance be noted;

(ii)          THAT comments be sought by the end of March on updating the Camden guidance for circulation prior to the start of Ramadan this year. 

There was no other business.

The next meeting of SACRE will be on:

·         Thursday, 13^th June 2019

It was noted that the next meeting would be on 13^th June 2019.