Agenda item - Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report

RESOLVED:

1.    That the SACRE report be noted and that Committee support for the work of SACRE be considered.

33.11   The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director for Children’s Services, which provided an outline of the work of Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) over the past year. The report was introduced by the Partnership Adviser Health & Wellbeing.

33.12  Councillor McNair affirmed that SACRE was key in supporting parents with developing children’s ethics and morality. Clarification was sought on how BHCC engaged people with regard to religious education and further sought advice on how BHCC could prepare and help schools with Deep Dives.

33.12   The Partnership Adviser - Health & Wellbeing stated that schools provided their curriculum on the website and that SACRE was in the process of carrying out website reviews as part of its statutory duty. It was noted historically Ofsted placed little focus on religious education.

33.13   The Chair suggested that BHCC focus on good communication with SACRE.

33.14   Councillor Clare proposed a survey be carried out to further attain data on what was currently being undertaken in schools and enquired if EBAC could be considered a reason for issue relating to entry figures among others.

33.15   The Partnership Adviser – Health & Wellbeing stated that EBASC was a contributing factor however clarified that there were other reasons such as the differing priorities across different schools.

33.16   Councillor Simson enquired what was being done to encourage as wide a breadth of engagement with Community Engagement Vacancies.

33.17   The Partnership Adviser – Health & Wellbeing stated that members of SACRE found it difficult to engage other groups although were still in ongoing efforts to do so. It was further noted that direct contact was often pursued along with challenging people to get involved.

33.18   Karen James referred to section 3.10 and offered to help look at key bids.

33.19   The Partnership Adviser – Health & Wellbeing welcomed this and noted that this would be taken back to SACRE.

33.20  RESOLVED:

1.      That the SACRE report be noted and that Committee support for the work of SACRE be considered.