The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Kieran Hughes.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Rutland SACRE held on the 12^th September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 12^th September 2023 were approved as an accurate record.

Action 1

It was agreed that the Chair and the SACRE/RE Adviser would write a draft a letter on behalf of the Rutland SACRE to all Councillors and the local MP regarding RE teacher recruitment.

The SACRE Adviser confirmed that a letter had been drafted but not sent.  The letter would be updated and sent with a copy also sent to the Clerk for distribution to the Rutland SACRE members.

ACTION: Amanda Fitton

Action 2

A further breakdown of the examination results, including destination, cohort size and statistical neighbours’ data, would be provided once the examination results were verified.

The Learning and Skills Service Manager confirmed that the examination data had only just been verified and would be presented at the next meeting.

Action 3

The Service Manager also confirmed that a congratulatory letter to the appropriate schools would be drafted on SACRE’s behalf and sent to the appropriate Rutland schools once the examination results data were verified.

Action completed.

Action 4

It was proposed that the RE Adviser should meet with the two Secondary Teacher Representatives to discuss how the statutory requirement that all pupils were entitled to religious education to the end of Year 11, was being fulfilled by Rutland schools.

Action completed. Excellent work was being done at Catmose College and Uppingham Community College.  A copy of the RE Adviser’s report would be sent to the Clerk for distribution to the Rutland SACRE members.

ACTION: Amanda Fitton

Action 5

It was proposed that a letter from SACRE should be sent to all Rutland schools once the examination data had been verified, to promote the values of religious education and positively influence the decision maker.

Action carried forward.

ACTION: Gurdev Singh

Action 6

The RE Adviser confirmed that the training timetable would be distributed to all schools.

Action completed.

Action 7

It was agreed that a SACRE sub-group, consisting of Rev McWhirter, Lizzie Papworth, Councillor McRobb, Amanda Fitton and Sam Brooks would identify and clarify SACRE’s role and duties for approval at the next meeting.

Action completed and on the agenda for discussion.

Action 8

The RE Adviser would be meeting with Mary-Anne Marples to discuss what schools actually wanted from the network meetings and the possibility of inter-county meetings with Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

The RE Adviser confirmed that, following the meeting, she would distribute feedback to the Rutland SACRE members for discussion at the next meeting.

Action completed and on the agenda for discussion.

To receive a presentation from Amanda Fitton, SACRE Adviser on the different types of schools, which are inspected by OFSTED for RE and SACRE’s responsibilities.

A presentation was received from Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser which had been included in the agenda pack.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

Megan confirmed that SIAMs does look at a school’s RE curriculum but does not inspect the quality of the RE teaching within a school.

The Chair requested that a breakdown of the types of schools within Rutland should be included in next year’s SACRE annual report.

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Madeleine Gilbert joined the meeting at 5.00 p.m.

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To receive a verbal briefing from Amanda Fitton, SACRE Adviser regarding the quality of RE teaching in schools as stated in the Ofsted Annual Report for 2022-23: Ofsted Annual Report 2022/23: education, children’s services and skills - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A verbal update was received from Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser regarding the recent publication of the Ofsted Annual Report for 2022/2023: Ofsted Annual Report 2022/23: education, children’s services and skills - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The main finding of the report was that RE was of poor quality in schools.

This was not the case in Rutland schools and the quality of RE teaching in Rutland did not follow the trend of that stated in the Ofsted annual report.

Rutland schools had received no negative comments regarding the teaching of RE in any of this year’s Ofsted inspection reports.

The Learning and Skills Service Manager confirmed that an audit of Rutland’s primary schools had been completed regarding the RE curriculum and information on their websites.  The results were positive, with evidence of strong practice and all had significantly improved since the previous audit.

It was agreed that the RE Adviser and the Learning and Skills Service Manager would draft a press statement and send it to the Council’s Communications Team via the Clerk for publication.

ACTION: Amanda Fitton, Lizzie Papworth, Jane Narey

To receive a briefing from Rev. McWhirter following the sub-group’s meetings to identify and clarify SACRE’s role and duties for approval by the Rutland SACRE.

A briefing was received from Rev. McWhirter.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

Following the last meeting, a SACRE sub-group was formed comprising of Rev. McWhirter, Lizzie Papworth, Sam Brooks and Councillor McRobb.

The group had met three times to help identify and clarify SACRE’s role and duties.

The group had distributed a survey to Rutland schools to identify which schools were using the Rutland agreed syllabus.

19 out of the 20 schools replied and it was found that nearly two thirds of Rutland schools were using the agreed syllabus, either partially or in full.

The remaining schools used other sources such as the Diocese of Peterborough RE Syllabus and the Northamptonshire County Council’s Agreed Syllabus as well as other elements agreed by each school’s governing body.

An audit was also completed of what RE details primary schools had on their websites (details attached).

It showed that schools were getter better at providing more information on their websites regarding RE as there was increasing focus from Ofsted on the planning and teaching of RE in schools.

An audit of secondary schools would be completed in the near future and the Learning and Skills Service Manager would produce a matrix of what RE curriculum/syllabus schools were using plus details of the RE lead in each school.

ACTION: Lizzie Papworth

The role and responsibility of a SACRE was detailed in the Religious Education in English Schools: non-statutory guidance 2010 but this has since changed with the introduction of World Views.

The sub-group proposed that Rutland SACRE should:

Have better links with schools i.e. hold SACRE meetings in schools, meet schools RE leads, view RE lessons, etc.

Encourage/identify ‘RE champions’, who could be promoted throughout Rutland’s schools.

Develop the Rutland SACRE website to include more information and resources e.g. RE lesson plans, RE points of contact in other schools etc.

Members agreed that the SACRE website should signpost people to available resources/information e.g. NASACRE, NATRE, RE Hubs

The RE Adviser informed attendees that links to available resources from the Religious Education Council were detailed in the Agreed Syllabus.

The Clerk informed members that SACRE meetings were formal ‘in public’ meetings which were governed by procedure rules at which members of the public could observe and/or listen.

It was agreed that the SACRE sub-group would meet to discuss the following and report back at the next meeting:

·       Summarise the content of the Rutland SACRE webpage.

·       Identify how the Rutland SACRE webpage would be maintained.

·       Identify how Rutland SACRE could better communicate/engage with schools.

·       How might the Rutland SACRE better support RE teaching in schools.

ACTION: Rutland Sub-Group

To review and approve the Rutland SACRE Annual Report for 2022-2023.

The Rutland SACRE Annual Report for 2022-2023 was presented by Gurdev Singh, Chair of Rutland SACRE.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

Members agreed that they contact the Clerk via email (democraticservices@rutland.gov.uk), before the 31^st December 2023, with any comments/amendments to the Annual Report.

ACTION: All

The Clerk would then publish the finalised Annual Report 2022-2023 in January 2024 and submit a copy to NASACRE.

ACTION: Jane Narey

To receive a verbal update from Amanda Fitton, SACRE Adviser regarding an amendment on Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

A verbal update was received from Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser regarding an amendment on Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

The Agreed Syllabus stated (page 16) that the Early Years Foundation Stage entitlement was a ‘minimum of 30 hrs in a school year.  Teacher-led activities.’ 

This required amending as it should actually state ‘Teacher-led and directed activities.’

The RE Adviser stated that both Peterborough and Cambridgeshire SACRE’s had approved the amendment but that Rutland SACRE’s approval was required so that the amendment could be made and the Agreed Syllabus re-published.

RESOLVED:

That the Rutland SACRE:

APPROVED that the Early Years Foundation Stage entitlement should be amended to read ‘Teacher-led and directed activities.’

To receive an update from Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser for Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Rutland County Councils.

An update was received from Amanda Fitton, RE Adviser.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

The RE Adviser confirmed that she’d had a good meeting with Mary-Anne Marples to discuss what schools actually wanted from the primary network meetings plus the possibility of inter-county meetings with Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

The first Primary Network Meeting had been held on the 30^th November with the theme of ‘What are RE leads looking for and time effective ways to teach RE.’

Other network meetings will be held on the 5^th March 2024 and the 12^th June 2024 with the themes ‘What are World Views, how to use different approaches in RE’ and ‘Books vs Floor Books, the evidence trail for RE leads and Ofsted’ respectively.

The Network Meetings flyer would be re-sent to schools in the new year.

The RE Adviser confirmed that the Primary Network Meetings were free to attend for all Rutland schools.

To receive a verbal update from Members of SACRE on any training attended.

The RE Adviser confirmed that she and Julia Eames had attended the East Anglia RE Hub meeting as Peterborough SACRE and Cambridgeshire SACRE were both members. 

The meeting had discussed collective worship and the work being done by the different SACREs.

It was noted that Rutland SACRE was not a member of the East Anglia RE Hub but was a member of the East Midlands RE Hub.

The RE Adviser confirmed that she would contact the RE Hubs Lead for both areas and request that Rutland SACRE be included in the East Anglia RE Hub.

ACTION: Amanda Fitton

To receive a verbal report from Lizzie Papworth, Service Manager – Learning and Skills and to receive any Ofsted Inspection Reports.

·       Empingham Church of England Primary School

·       Casterton College Rutland

A verbal report was received from Lizzie Papworth, Service Manager – Learning and Skills regarding the most recently received Ofsted Inspection Reportsreceived.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

There were no comments regarding RE in the inspection reports for Empingham Church of England Primary School and Casterton College Rutland.    

The inspection report for St Mary and St John CofE VA Primary School had just been published and this stated that ‘Through sensitive teaching, pupils understand that everyone is different but should be treated equally. They deepen their knowledge of a range of faiths and cultures.’

Councillor Wise proposed that quotes regarding the teaching of RE in Rutland schools should be included in the press statement.

ACTION:Amanda Fitton, Lizzie Papworth

To review/update Rutland SACRE’s Work Plan for 2023-2024.

The work plan was discussed and updated as follows:

12 March 2024 - SACRE Sub-Group: Report and proposed actions

A report from the SACRE sub-group following their meeting(s) to:

·       Summarise the content of the Rutland SACRE webpage.

·       Identify how the Rutland SACRE webpage would be maintained.

·       Identify how Rutland SACRE could better communicate/engage with schools.

·       How might the Rutland SACRE better support RE teaching in schools.

12 March 2024 - SACRE members engagement with schools

A discussion regarding SACRE members engagement with and attendance at Rutland schools.

There was no urgent business.

Tuesday, 12^th March 2024 at 4.30 p.m.

12 March 2024 at 4.30 p.m. via Zoom.