Agenda item

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

Consideration was given to the applications for Determinations from Fleet and Frank Barnes schools.

Natasha Beckles and Lesley Prior had visited the school. The visit had taken place on St George’s Day, and the assembly focused on St George and his link with Englishness as well as his international connections. Rev Beckles said that one of the members of staff was of Ethiopian descent and he spoke about St George’s links with Ethiopia.

Members noted that 49% of children in the school were from Muslim backgrounds and that it would be in keeping with the multi-faith nature of the school to obtain a Determination which would enable the school to have an assembly plan which was not ‘broadly Christian’.

Members agreed to grant the Determination.

Ann Boater reported on her visit to the school. The school was a Deaf school, and the assembly had a BSL interpreter. The assembly Ms Boater witnessed was about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Being a special school, it was fairly small – with only 25 pupils. The school had a Jehovah’s Witness family and were keen to have an assembly plan that was inclusive.

The Professional Advisor reported that she had visited Frank Barnes when it had last applied for a Determination in 2017 and had been impressed by the approach they had taken then.

There was a query from a member about whether special schools were exempt from collective worship requirements. Special schools were not exempt, but it was understood by inspectors that their assemblies would vary from those of mainstream schools and aim to reflect the level of ability and understanding of pupils.

Members agreed to grant the Determination.

It was noted that there were no teacher members present, and the Clerk was asked to email them to seek their comments and views on the two Determination applications.

                                                                        ACTION: Clerk to SACRE

RESOLVED –

(i)         THAT the list of schools with Determinations be noted;

(ii)        THAT Determinations be granted to Fleet and Frank Banes schools.