Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, and it was noted that apologies had been received from Shaun Cremin (Associate Member) and Jen Haskew (Brent Council - Head of Setting and School Effectiveness Service).

In opening the meeting, Basma ElShayyal took the opportunity, given recent events in the Middle East, to highlight the importance of faith leaders and RE practitioners continuing to promote community cohesion and tolerance across all sections of the local community.  In supporting the comments, made Councillor Nerva was also keen to recognise the level of diversity across Brent and way in which different multicultural communities were able to live side by side in peace and harmony and welcomed the lead continuing to be provided through the Brent Multi Faith Forum in this respect.

To undertake (following it deferral at the previous meeting) the annual election of the SACRE Chair & Vice-Chair.

Members are asked to note that in accordance with the SACRE Constitution:

·             The local authority has agreed not to exercise their right to appoint the Chair and Vice Chair, meaning the appointments will be a matter for SACRE to agree; and

·             The appointment of Chair & Vice Chair will be for a one year term of office covering the 2023-24 academic year, with future elections to take place at the last SACRE meeting of each preceeding academic year.

Following deferral of this item at the previous meeting SACRE was asked to consider the appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair for the 2023-24 academic year.

In considering the appointments, SACRE was advised that due to her retirement Helen Mooney had needed to step back as Vice-Chair of the Committee with a new nomination therefore required.

Having sought nominations for both positions it was AGREED that:

(1)    Basma ElShayyal be re-elected as Chair of Brent SACRE for the 2023-24 academic year.

(2)    Ian Slade be elected as Vice-Chair of Brent SACRE for the 2023-24 academic year.

The Chair, supported by all members of SACRE, took the opportunity to thank Helen Mooney for the work undertaken and support offered as Vice-Chair and to wish her well for the future.

To consider and approve the minutes from the last SACRE meeting held on Thursday 13 July 2023.

It was AGREED to approve the minutes of the previous SACRE meeting held on Thursday 13 July 2023.

4.1   Members are asked to review the determination application which has been received from Stonebridge School.

4.2   To note the following school with an expired determination:

·             Uxendon Manor School

Basma ElShayyal, Chair, advised that there was one determination to be considered at the meeting – Stonebridge Primary School.

In considering the determination, SACRE noted that whilst all other documents had been submitted the Governing Body minutes required as part of the application were still outstanding.  In noting that the School had recently undergone a change in leadership and recognising the good quality of the remaining documents submitted in support of the application, members advised they were minded to approve the determination, pending submission of the final Governing Body minutes.

It was therefore AGREED that the determination be granted, pending submission of the supporting minutes from the school to SACRE.

Members were advised the supporting information required to complete the application had already been requested from the school which Helen Tulloch advised would be followed up after the meeting.

To receive an update on SACRE membership (details attached) including current vacancies.

SACRE received an update on its current membership position having noted the following changes notified since the previous meeting:

•         The resignation of Dawn Titus as the nominated catholic faith representative within Group A;

•         The resignation (advised during the meeting) of Sheralyn Snaith as the nominated Baha’i representative within Group A with the Chair also taking the opportunity to thank Sheralyn Snaith for her support and wish her all the best for the future.

•         The additional vacancy created within Group C as a result of Helen Mooney’s retirement.

Members were advised that contact had also been made with the London Diocesan Board for Schools regarding the current status of Graham Marriner, Andrew Teather and Mark Newton as Church of England representatives within membership Group B given their limited attendance at SACRE meetings.

Given the various membership vacancies for which replacements were currently being sought, SACRE supported the proposal for a wider review of current membership to be undertaken in advance of the next meeting enabling consideration to be given to any further changes in representation that may be required linked to the outcome of the last census and attendance requirements.

It was therefore AGREED that a further update be provided for the next meeting, once the wider review of membership had been completed.

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.

8.1   Date of Future Meetings

SACRE is asked to note the remaining programme of dates identified for meetings during the 2023-24 academic year, as follows:

·        Thursday 8th February 2024 at 5pm.

This will be undertaken as an online meeting, unless otherwise notified.

Date of Future Meetings

SACRE noted the date for the next meeting as 5pm on Thursday 8th February 2024, with the meeting to be held online.

Following a comment raised during the meeting, members agreed that it may be beneficial (looking forward to the 2024-25 academic year) to consider holding at least one meeting in hybrid format rather than entirely online, which would be considered as part of the process in agreeing the dates for these meetings.