It was suggested that prior to the meeting, members look at the following sections of the SACRE Reporting and Evaluating Toolkit and come ready to discuss their thoughts:

Group A members (representatives of other faiths and Christian denominations) were asked to focus on Section 5 – Contribution of SACRE to promoting cohesion across the community.

Group B members (representatives from the Church of England) were asked to focus on Section 3 – Collective worship.

Group C members (teachers) were asked to focus on Section 2 – The effectiveness of the locally agreed syllabus.

Group D members (Councillors) were asked to focus on Section 4 – Management of SACRE.

The LBB Head of Services for Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education and LBB Head of School Standards would complete Section 1 – Standards and Quality of Provision of RE.

At the meeting SACRE members were invited to divide into their membership groups to discuss and come to a consensus. Results of the self-evaluation can be seen in the table appended to these minutes.

Additional points arising from the discussion are listed below.

Section 2 – The effectiveness of the locally agreed syllabus

The teaching group highlighted that for Key Area 2A – The review process, only the developing criteria could currently be met due to budget restrictions. Key Area 2D – Membership and training of the Agreed Syllabus, was considered to just meet the established criteria, as it was felt that currently the SACRE only met the basic membership requirements, as with three teachers they did not feel there was enough representation on the Committee.

Section 3 – Collective worship

The Church of England group noted that for Key Area 3A – Supporting pupil entitlement, the SACRE met the lower end of the established criteria, as although publications had been given to schools, they were in a hard-copy format, which could have been misplaced, and the SACRE was unable to evaluate the impact of its advice and support. Key Area 3C – Responding to requests for determinations remained in the same criteria as previous years as no determinations had been received.

Members enquired if the ‘Reflective Pools – Refreshing Collective Worship in Bromley Schools’ publication could be provided in an electronic format. The LBB Head of School Standards confirmed that it was available on Fronter, and would see if a PDF version could be produced.

 ACTION: LBB Head of School Standards

Following a discussion, members considered that they would like to be provided with further information regarding determinations, and it was agreed that this could be an agenda item at a future SACRE meeting.

  ACTION: Chairman / Clerk

Section 4 – Management of SACRE

The Councillors group considered that Key Area 4B – Membership and training, currently fell within the developing criteria, as the SACRE fulfilled its basic statutory obligations, and there were limited introduction and training opportunities for members. Key Area 4D – Professional and financial support was felt to be in the established criteria as the SACRE had a modest budget, and communication was maintained with the clerk, Chairman and SACRE members between meetings. Key Area 4G – Relations with the Academies sector, was considered to just about reach the establish criteria as there was no specific academy group representation on the SACRE. Teachers attended, but no ‘decision makers’ from any Academy Trusts were present at SACRE meetings.

Section 5 – Contribution of SACRE to promoting cohesion across the community

The other faiths group considered that for Key Area 5A – SACRE’s membership, Bromley SACRE met the advanced criteria as Group A (representatives of other faiths and Christian denominations) had the largest number of members and was inclusive. Key Area 5C – SACRE’s engagement with the community cohesion agenda was felt to be at the higher end of the established criteria through visits to schools and the Chairman’s presentation to the School Governor Forum. It was also suggested that the same presentation could be delivered to Headteachers.