The Bromley Agreed Syllabus and accompanying documents can be viewed via the following link:
https://bromleyeducationmatters.uk/Page/15522
Minutes:
SACRE Members had been provided with a link to the Bromley Agreed Syllabus and accompanying documents, which were now available on the Bromley Education Matters website.
The SACRE RE Adviser informed Members that primary and secondary RE network meetings had been held, during which the teachers had gone through the Syllabus. The teachers who attended the primary RE network meetings were also working on draft materials, such as schemes of learning and unit plans, which were currently being trialled in schools. A meeting of the secondary RE network would be held on the 26th February 2021, and these teachers had already discussed their curriculum maps based on the Syllabus. It was noted that over the last year, consultation on the documents had been open to all schools, and those that attended the networks had a good understanding of the Syllabus, its aims, and its purpose.
A SACRE Member, who had attended the primary RE network meeting, said that the materials looked amazing, and that it was refreshing to see so much information being provided to teachers. It was noted that it may be a struggle for teachers to “get their heads around” everything provided, but this should be seen as an interim year – during which teachers gained greater subject knowledge and gathered resources. This was echoed by a primary teacher representative who advised that overall, the documents had been well received.
Another primary teacher representative advised that her school had made a positive start to planning the new curriculum. The Teaching Assistant (TA) delivering the lessons had produced very comprehensive plans, and it was noted that this would become easier going forward. It took lots of hard work, but the TA had enjoyed the challenge, and the depth and thought of the questions received from pupils.
The SACRE RE Adviser highlighted that the general response she had received from teachers was that the pupils were much more engaged with the subject area. The teachers had been provided with a set of plans for autumn and spring, and at the primary RE network meeting on 24th February 2021, they would be looking at the spring and summer units. The SACRE RE Adviser noted that once the support materials for the Syllabus had been completed, she would send them to the SACRE faith representatives to check they were happy with the contents.
ACTION: SACRE RE Adviser
The SACRE RE Adviser informed Members that the RE network meetings were open to all Bromley schools, free of charge, and the support materials would be provided to the teachers through them. The support materials would not be available via the Bromley Education Matters website, but a note would be included on it, asking teachers to get in touch with the SACRE RE Adviser directly.
A Member noted that the Syllabus was a very impressive document, and enquired if the teaching of relationships in RE would run parallel to the new statutory requirement to teach Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). The SACRE RE Adviser informed Members that she was also supporting schools in the Borough with regards to RSE, and free primary and secondary networks had been established. These had allowed discussions around the RSE requirements, in terms of both the curriculum and safeguarding. The networks would continue to look at, and clarify, the requirements of RSE and RE – as the SACRE RE Adviser was coordinating both, this would help avoid any “pit falls”. It was noted that there was clear guidance for faith schools, and for children that attended school of a certain faith. Where there were discussions that pupils were required to attend, the RSE guidance advised that it could be delivered within the ethos of the school. The SACRE RE Adviser was aware that Church of England schools were being supported in terms of how to deliver this. It was highlighted that faith schools could contact the SACRE RE Adviser and attend the network meetings – a policy guidance document had also been produced, which provided advice on how to address the issue of teaching RSE within a religious setting.