Issue - meetings

To receive an update from the SACRE Advisor on any general SACRE or RE related issues.

SACRE received an update from Nadia Nadeem (SACRE/RE Advisor) which covered the following issues:

·            The concern highlighted nationally by NASACRE regarding the recruitment of RE teachers given the current shortage identified.  As a result, NASACRE were seeking support from SACREs in lobbying MPs for the provision of initiatives such as bursaries for RE trainees reflecting those offered for other subjects, e.g., maths, science and geography, which SACRE members were keen to support also recognising the need to ensure appropriate training and ongoing professional support remained available.

·            The recent presentation made by Charles Clarke, as NASACRE patron, on the importance of SACREs continuing to promote community cohesion within their local areas given the importance of religious education in schools being able to promote inclusivity and tolerance both within and outside of the classroom.  In considering the update provided the Chair welcome the lead being taken by NASACRE in seeking to strengthen and raise the profile of activities designed to promote wider community cohesion through schools, which members felt could be further strengthened through the development of appropriate links and partnership working with the Multi Faith Forum.

·            The work being undertaken, supported by NASACRE, to enhance the focus in measuring and demonstrating the success and impact of SACREs especially in relation to collective worship and the delivery of religious education within schools which members were again keen to support, especially in relation to the development of monitoring information with the SACRE annual report template.  In addition, members felt this also provided an opportunity to once again focus on developing more joined up working with the Multi Faith Forum as a means or promoting the resources available and work undertaken through SACRE to engage with local schools and also encourage wider participation.

·            The release of a draft version of the National Content Standard for RE which, although not providing a national curriculum syllabus for RE, it was noted did include useful guidance on content for schools and which SACRE advised they would be keen to review in more detail once the final version was published.

·            The outcome of a recent court judgement involving Kent County Council concerning the position of Humanists within Group A of SACRE membership.  The judgement had clarified that applications for Group A membership from persons who represent holders of non-religious beliefs should be considered in the same way as applications from those who represent holders of religious beliefs, which was a position NASACRE had long been seeking guidance on from the DfE.  NASACRE had welcomed the subsequent guidance provided, which had reiterated that the make-up of a SACRE was a matter for Local Authorities (rather than SACREs themselves) and that the membership of Group A should ensure that relevant traditions and beliefs in the local authority’s area were appropriately reflected, including non-religious belief systems where they were analogous to a religious belief.

The opportunity was also taken to remind members of the available training and professional development available through NASACRE for SACRE members including the training offer and information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6

Following consideration of the Brent summary 2021 census data relating to religion at the previous meeting a further summary has now been provided mapping Brents population by religion.

This has also been attached for SACREs information.

SACRE considered a summary factsheet detailing the results of the 2021 National Census relating to a breakdown of Brent’s population by religion.  Jen Haskew provided a brief overview and SACRE noted:

·                The insightful nature of the detail and key points outlined along with the relevance to the membership and operation of SACRE.  In noting the breakdown by population, the Chair felt it would also be useful to compare against any similar data available on the breakdown of the school population across the borough by religion.  ACTION: Jen Haskew to review available data and update next meeting.

·                The usefulness of the data in seeking to support wider policy development and teaching support with members specifically highlighting the low % of population across the borough and individual wards recorded as having “no religion” when compared elsewhere.

·                The additional work being undertaken by the Council in regards to the breakdown of Census data by ward, which could also be shared with SACRE once available.

SACRE AGREED to note the Census Factsheet detailing the breakdown of Brent’s population by religion, which it was felt provided a useful reference point for the future consideration of wider policy development and teaching support.