Members had been provided with a summary of the actions for the previous academic year (September 2020-September 2021), and the SACRE Action Plan for the period September 2021-September 2022.

The SACRE RE Adviser highlighted that for the previous academic year nearly all actions had been marked in green as ‘complete’, except the ‘REal’ resources which had been discussed earlier in the meeting. It was noted that the final section of the document related to an ‘Interfaith Dialogue’ event which would be carried forward into the Action Plan for the current academic year. Funding to hold this event had been secured and plans were starting to be developed. The SACRE RE Adviser would be looking to work with the SACRE faith representatives and consider the big questions, so that in addition to individual video resources, a virtual meeting or debate could be recorded to support secondary pupils. The SACRE RE Adviser planned to collate some examples of questions which she would circulate to the faith representatives – representatives would be asked to provide their initial responses, and a script would then be produced. A meeting would be held and recorded via a virtual platform, and the responses to the questions could be shared with schools.

SACRE Members were advised that all three of the primary teacher network meetings had been held during the last academic year and had been reasonably successful. A SACRE teacher representative agreed that these events had been useful, focussing on the new RE syllabus and how it was evolving – the introduction of assessment tools for teachers would also be extremely valuable. As there were new teachers joining from session to session, certain areas would often need to be revisited. The SACRE RE Adviser informed Members that the primary network meeting in January 2022 would focus on a progression map for pupil progress.

The SACRE RE Adviser noted that the secondary network meeting scheduled for October 2021 had been marked in red on the Action Plan – this had initially been cancelled due to poor take-up, however it was believed that there had been an issue with communication, and this would go ahead the following term.

Councillor Kim Botting informed Members that she was President of the Royal British Legion, Orpington and enquired about the teaching of Remembrance Sunday in schools. A SACRE teacher representative advised that Remembrance Sunday usually coincided with inter-faith week, and involvement was encouraged in all schools. It was considered that inter-faith week was something that the SACRE could focus on more in future years. The SACRE RE Adviser said that lots of schools held assemblies and did activities in class around war and remembrance – however this may not be as a distinct RE lesson, as the concept of war would be covered in other areas of the curriculum, such as History and Geography.

SACRE Members had been provided with a copy of the first issue of a bi-annual Bromley Religious Education newsletter which had been produced for schools. The document had been created in the style of the current School Standards circular and, as well as contact details, provided information on the on the calendar competition and upcoming network meetings. The LBB Head of Service for Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education advised that the first issue of the newsletter would be circulated to both primary and secondary schools at the beginning of the spring term. The SACRE teacher representatives agreed that the newsletter would be very valuable, and although teachers were likely to have the network meeting dates in their calendars, it was highlighted that it should be circulated during the first week of January 2022 to serve as a reminder. It was good to have bullet point summaries of key information all on one page and the Chairman highlighted that it contained links to take teachers to the relevant webpages.

SACRE Members were asked to consider if there were any key aspects that they would like to see covered in future issues of the newsletter. A Member suggested that the Bromley Schools Festival, taking place in June 2022, could be featured in the next issue of the newsletter. The LBB Head of Service for Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education agreed, and asked that any key information be provided to her for inclusion in the summer term newsletter.

ACTION: Mrs Burtonshaw / LBB Head of Service for Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education

The SACRE RE Adviser noted that Members had also been provided with a copy of draft guidance to help ensure that guest speakers or visits to schools by Faith Group Representatives could best enhance the learning of pupils in RE. The suggestions included had been informed by Ofsted expectations, past experience and guidance regarding best practice to support teachers in embedding the learning experience as part of the curriculum, enabling pupils to ‘learn and remember’ more.

A SACRE teacher representative said that any guidance for subject leaders was useful, and particularly helpful for those lacking confidence, to get the best out of any speakers visiting a school. It was considered that the next step would be to produce guidance for schools on visiting places of worship. The SACRE RE Adviser asked SACRE teacher representatives to look through the document and forward any comments.

ACTION: SACRE teacher representatives

The LBB Head of Service for Early Years, School Standards and Adult Education suggested that some other SACRE Members could also look at the document from a speaker’s point of view, to ensure that the draft guidance was clear and straightforward.

  ACTION: Mrs Burtonshaw / Reverend Archer

RESOLVED that the SACRE Action Plan be noted.