Agenda item

To receive an update on issue relating to RE provision and NASACRE.

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

NATRE Survey on the provision for RE in Primary Schools (Autumn 2024) had identified that fewer schools were meeting their statutory duty to teach RE to all pupils.  In 2022, almost all schools (96%) reported that all pupils were being taught religious education but by 2024, this figure had fallen to 87%.

In contrast, leaders of RE in primary schools were now more likely to be more experienced Teachers than in the past.  The greatest concern was that too many primary school Teachers were not adequately prepared to teach RE, either in their initial teacher training or as part of their continuing professional development.  Consequently, they reported a lack of confidence in delivering some aspects of the curriculum.  This was needed to be addressed urgently by the Department for Education as part of a National Plan for RE as well as the lack of opportunity to study RE at A Level.

Focussing on Brent, SACRE noted and welcomed the work being undertaken to deliver the current RE syllabus across schools in the borough, which members were advised would continue to be kept under review and SACREs attention drawn to the suggestions included within the paper in seeking to develop their impact and role.

Naomi Franks, a volunteer at Willesden Jewish Cemetery, which was an orthodox cemetery wanted to make SACRE and schools aware that the cemetery offered a range of activities for both Jewish and non-Jewish schools.  They would like to make contact and offer twilight sessions to Brent Teachers to explain how to teach about Judaism as well as offer relevant activities through the RE, English, History and RSHE curriculum and they support all Key Stages.  Twilight sessions for Teachers and education workshops can be found at https://www.willesdenjewishcemetery.org.uk/schools

Sally Strauss wanted to share a new resource ‘Jewish Living Online’.  A digital education initiative jointly produced by the Board of Deputies and the Anti-Defamation League: https://jlo.org.uk

Anna Silver had shared an invitation from the Faith and Belief Forum to help shape the future of Inter Faith Week, which was not funded by the government this year but various RE organisations banded together to fund the initiative.

In terms of training opportunities, Places of Interest and School Speaker Training was available on the RE Hub and free to participants.  The comprehensive training would be held online and last for 1.5 hours.  It was recognised as an opportunity to develop knowledge about hosting schools in a place of worship/interest or going into a school to speak to pupils.  It was also an opportunity to meet other people who offer a similar service and share ideas, practice and experience.  The training was valid for two years and participants who complete the online training receive the RE Hubs Kitemark.  This was a recognised kitemark in the education community, which allows the participant or their organisation to be registered on the RE Hubs directory for schools to contact them.  More information can be found at https://www.re-hubs.uk/get-involved/places-of-interest and https://www.re-hubs.uk/get-involved/school-speakers

NATRE were also offering ECT webinars for free for subject knowledge monthly.  For more details visit https://www.natre.org.uk/Membership/early-careers-teachers/ect-free-monthly-webinar 

Forthcoming NASACRE events included Being an Effective SACRE Clerk on 25 February 2025 at 7-8pm and Working on an Agreed Syllabus Conference on 11 March 2025 at 7-8pm.  Both events were free to SACRE Members and the full training programme can be found at https://nasacre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Virtual-training-programme-24-25.pdf and further information could be found at https://nasacre.org.uk/training-and-support

The Chair thanked Nadia Nadeem for her report and welcomed questions from the Members with the following pointed noted:

Future objectives for the SACRE would be established once the Chair and Vice Chair had been elected for the 25-26 Academic Year, including the monitoring of delivery of the RE syllabus based on teach insight.

It was agreed that SACRE was a useful space to share information and make more specific to the communities in Brent.  Information about events, resources and training for all faiths were incorporated in the newsletters.  Further thought needed to be given to the influence of SACRE in Brent and how it encouraged appropriate and positive learning about different religions.  Following SACRE Members receiving training, a programme could be developed for Members to go into schools and teach as well as SACRE Members sharing knowledge with one another.

Members agreed that that it would be helpful to learn about other religions and perhaps a visit could be arranged to the Willesden Cemetery and then to a temple for example to raise awareness.

Shirley Parks said that it would be beneficial for SACRE to meet face to face and she and Jen Haskew would meet to discuss the programme of work SACRE was doing bearing in mind that Members were giving their time in a voluntary capacity.  The Chair agreed and recognised it would be a learning process for everyone and an opportunity to learn about each other’s faiths and principles.

Stephanie Enas said that the teachers in her school were confident about teaching RE and the Brent agreed syllabus and carried out collective worship.  Some concepts had been hard to teach like the concept of a ‘spirit’ especially to younger aged children as well as challenges in teaching the changing nature of cohorts of children.

With no further issues raised SACRE AGREED to note the update provided.