Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.

Apologies were noted on behalf of Councillors Jackson and Mrs Henderson MBE and Helen Sage, Blackburn Church of England Diocese.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 July 2016 as a true and correct record.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 July 2016.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider revised constitution of the National Association of SACREs

The Committee considered a proposal by the National Association of SACREs (of which Blackpool SACRE was a member) to amend its constitution.

The Committee noted that the revised constitution had been recommended by the

the NASACRE Executive to the organisation to continue serving its members, supporting, strengthening and promoting the work done by local SACREs and representing the interests of members at a national level, for many years to come. 

This had been proposed to take place at the AGM of NASACRE held on the 17 May 2016. However, due to the outmoded constitution it had been impossible at the AGM to agree this change. Therefore NASACRE had agreed to conduct a vote virtually to ascertain if member SACREs agree to the new constitution.

The Committee noted that the new constitution reflected the current operation of the SACRE had considered that there were no issues with its approval. 

Resolved:

To agree the revised constitution for NASACRE as attached at Appendix 3a

To consider and discuss how the Council can support the SACRE and further possibilities for working together with other SACREs.

The Committee held a discussion on the local authority support to SACRE. Mr Glenn Mascord, School Improvement Officer, provided a brief overview of the present context of education and highlighted to members that the current position was that due to the conversion of all secondary schools in Blackpool and a large proportion of primary schools to Academy status the role of the local authority had changed from direct control to a more influencing role. 

Mr Mascord emphasised that the Local Authority would continue to provide support to the SACRE but suggested to members that the role of SACRE should reflect the new role of the Local Authority.

Mr Mascord highlighted the creation of the Blackpool School Improvement Board which, while having Council representation, will promote and support a school-led approach and the continued work of the RE Network.

The Committee thanked Mr Mascord for his update and considered that it would be beneficial to further develop their knowledge of the two groups and then consider how the SACRE could work with these groups to ensure quality delivery of Religious Education teaching in Blackpool schools.

Resolved:

1.      To note the context of local authority support to the SACRE.

2.      To agree to continue to explore ways of working with other SACREs.

3.      That a presentation on both the Blackpool School Improvement Board and the RE Network form agenda items for future meetings of the SACRE.

Further to the previous meeting to receive a presentation on the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education

Further to the previous meeting , the Committee received  a presentation on the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

The presentation was presented by Mrs Joanne Harris from Broughton High School who had played a key role in the development of the syllabus  and associated learning materials.

Mrs Harris highlighted the principal of the syllabus namely  “To support pupils’ personal search for meaning by engaging enquiry into the question 'What is it to be human?' and then to explore the answers offered by religion and belief.” This had been the key principal behind the previously approved syllabus and there was an acknowledgement that this had worked well.

The Committee then noted that in line with the 2013 Ofsted  report into Religious Education the syllabus had been based on the enquiry based model of learning with that at the heart of each syllabus area. Ms Harris then took members through a number of examples of areas of study and learning materials for the different key stages highlighting how the golden thread in each area of study could

The presentation has been attached to the minutes for information.

 Resolved:

1.      To note the development of the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus.

2.      To note the presentation on the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus.

3.      To reaffirm the SACRE’s view that the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus should be adopted as the agreed syllabus and ask officers to take the necessary steps for its adoption.

To agree the dates of next meetings as follows:

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Resolved:

To agree the dates of next meetings as follows:

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Wednesday 17 May 2017