SACRE Members received the report on national developments. 

Referring to the Ofsted national findings listed in the report around the teaching of RE in schools, SACRE Members were disappointed to see that many schools were failing to meet the statutory requirement to teach RE to all pupils in all year groups and that pupils were not being taught enough substance to prepare them to engage in a complex, multi-religious and multi-secular society. A SACRE Member highlighted that with the current conflicts ongoing around the world, the need to encourage discussion amongst young people about different faiths was needed more than ever. It was questioned if the lack of teaching of RE was related to the need for more resources. JDC responded that RE was a subject that was fitted in around the core subjects. At secondary level, even if not taken at GCSE level, pupils should still have Religious Studies, however again, it was often not seen as a priority subject or was referred to as ‘life skills’ and not explicit enough to be classed as RS. 

JDC reported however that Havering did offer quality CPD for RE Subject Leaders and that she provided 1 full day and 6 twilight sessions per year. It was noted that local feedback had been given following Ofsted Inspections, where Subject Leaders had received a ‘light dive’ into RE and had been able to demonstrate how their pupils had made progress. 

A SACRE Member questioned what could be done if schools were not fulfilling their statutory duty. JDC replied that a national contents standard document had been produced to ensure that there was a consistent standard in teaching nationally. Both leading political parties had also stated that education in general would be reviewed following the General Election. 

A SACRE Member questioned if Havering was providing enough funding to support the teaching of RE in schools or whether there was a declining standard due to lack of resources. JDC responded that, in terms of CPD and revising the Agreed Syllabus, she felt that Havering was providing adequate funding. However, NASACRE had recently put out a FOI (Freedom of Information) to all Local Authorities and part of the reason was to ascertain the level of funding allocated to RE. It was noted that Havering SACRE did not have a specific budget, however money had always been provided in the past when requested, such as for training. It was anticipated that, once NASACRE had collated the information, Havering would be somewhere in the middle in terms of funding. 

A SACRE Member questioned if there was a youth equivalent for the Havering Inter Faith Forum. JDC replied that Newham, for example, had 2 ongoing projects where they had a Youth SACRE and another was Young Ambassadors. It was noted that the roles differed with Youth Ambassadors visiting primary schools to talk about their faiths. Havering SACRE Members might decide to visit Newham to see these projects in action. JDC suggested that establishing a youth project might be an alternative to the previously discussed art competition. This would be considered further at the next meeting. 

ACTION: HGS (to include on the agenda)