Agenda and minutes

Martin Bennett

Jane Lewis

Councillor AJ Matsiko

None.

Of the last meeting held on 11 March 2020 (for confirmation)

Subject to the addition of Chris Richards’ attendance at the meeting, the Council confirmed the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 as a correct record.

Progress against Resolutions

John Dexter has not yet received a response from local Ofsted teams about how schools which do not comply to the statutory requirement of providing religious education, can be graded as outstanding. Regular meetings with Ofsted and inspections have been suspended during the pandemic.

Resolved to note the Resolution Tracker and outcomes included in the agenda.

Recommendations:

1)  To note the resignations of the following members and note the Advisory Council’s thanks for their involvement and contributions:

i.  Yasmin Kalique

ii.   Caroline White

2)  To welcome:

iii.  Pvail Singh - the new representative for Sikhism;

3)  To welcome Ioakeim Oureilidis of the Greek  Orthodox Church to the meeting and ask that he introduce himself and provide a brief overview of his religious establishment and activity within the City.

4)  To consider including the Greek Orthodox Church within Group ‘A’ of the SACRE and if agreed, to welcome Ioakeim Oureilidis as the representative.

Resolved to

(1)  note the resignation of Yasmin Khalique and Caroline White and note the Advisory Council’s thanks for their involvement and contributions;

(2)  welcome Pvail Singh (the new representative for Sikhism), Rev Amanda Digman (Church of England), Rev Samantha Hustwayte (Church of England) and Alison Milbank (Church of England);

(3)  welcome Iokeim Oureilidis of the Greek Orthodox Church to the meeting (who introduced himself and provided a brief overview of his religious establishment and activity within the city;

(4)  include the Greek Orthodox Church within Group ‘A’ of the SACRE and to welcome Ioakeim Oureilidis as the representative.

Report of the Director of Education, John Dexter, and

Presentation by Sarah Peek, Specialist Leader in Religious Education, Sneinton Primary School.

Sarah Peek introduced the report and delivered a presentation on her experience of teaching the new Syllabus for Religious Education to Year 2 children, highlighting the following:

(a)  guidance on the syllabus is very teacher-friendly and includes advice on dos and don’ts when talking about different religions;

(b)  to date 37 city schools have participated in the launch events, 15 of which were schools from various Multi-Academy Trusts, the remainder being maintained schools. Some schools have made enquiries about purchasing the package post the launch events;

(c)  feedback from the webinars and workshops has been overwhelmingly positive.

Resolved to

(1)  note the content of the report;

(2)  consider organising a briefing workshop for faith leaders to support their understanding of the new Syllabus, when this is suitable to hold.

Update by John Dexter, Director of Education.

John Dexter presented the Determinations Statement. There is an expectation that all community schools in the city are offering collective worship within the broad traditions of Christian belief as required by law. However, schools can apply for what is called a Determination if they feel that the proportion of collective worship which reflects the broad traditions of Christian belief not appropriate for their pupils, and this must be agreed by the SACRE. To date, no schools in Nottingham City have applied for a Determination.

Recommended to note

(1)  that SACRE members may access information from the National Association Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (NASACRE) via the following link:  http://www.nasacre.org.uk 

(2)  the latest newsletter which includes a couple of items regarding determinations  https://mailchi.mp/bfa9c1b9617c/6g3v9uvmy6-2514418?e=da7db1e3e7

Resolved to note:

(1)  that SACRE members may access information from the National Association Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (NASACRE) via the following link: http://www.nasacre.org.uk;

(2)  the latest newsletter which includes a couple of items regarding determinations https://mailchi.mp/bfa9c1b9617c/6g3v9uvmy6-2514418?e=da7db1e3e7

For information

John Dexter presented a Freedom of Information Request that was received from NASACRE and the response provided. The Chair queried how the costs in the Request compared with other authorities’ costs but it was agreed that the SACRE provides good value for money.

Verbal Update by John Dexter, Director of Education.

John Dexter provided an update and provided the following information:

(a)  Covid-19 cases in Nottingham City schools are steadily reducing. Live data is available on the Nottingham City Council dashboard;

(b)  Since 11 January all schools are open, but only for children of key workers, those with EHCPs, those with a social worker and those receiving free school meals. The number of children attending school is much higher than during the first lockdown as the definitions of vulnerable pupils and key workers were changed by the government;

(c)  Around 6 or 7 schools have not been able to meet the demand for their children of key workers and vulnerable pupils;

(d)  The number of children required to self-isolate had steadily reduced;

(e)  lateral flow testing has been taking place in secondary schools for staff and may be expanded to pupils when they fully reopen. Home testing kits are being provided for primary staff;

(f)  schools will not fully reopen before 8 March, dependent on the levels of Covid-19. This may be done in a  phased way. Many schools are using remote learning to deliver the Religious Education curriculum currently;

(g)  community asymptomatic testing is available for anybody at Djanogly Leisure Centre and should be encouraged for all citizens, as well as receiving the vaccine when they are eligible.

For information

The Chair informed the Council that Old Basford School has been recognised in a national award for schools that work hardest at promoting understanding and combating discrimination between those of different religions and ethnicities. The Nottingham primary school has been placed third in the annual Accord Inclusivity Award, and is one of only four schools to be recognised this year.

Resolved to write to the school on behalf of SACRE to congratulate them on  their achievement.

Verbal Update from the Director of Education / Chair of the RSEEG

John Dexter provided a verbal update on the work of the RSEEG in November 2020.

Resolved to share the minutes of the meeting.

To determine the next meeting date and potentially venue.

The date of the next meeting will be agreed between the Chair, Vice-Chair and Lead-Officer and circulated.