Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2024 were signed as a correct record of the meeting subject to an amendment to the apologies received to add Dave Regis and Phil Randall.

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no item raised that needed urgent attention.

To note any changes to the membership of Devon SACRE and to pay tribute to Saxon Spence.

The Committee took a moment of contemplation to remember Saxon Spence, who had been a member of Devon SACRE for many years.

The Committee NOTED and welcomed the following new members:

Group A - Christian and other religion and belief communities (with the exception of the Church of England

Nic Gibson (Pagan representative)

Jenny Morse (Buddhist, visiting)

Group C - Teachers Associations

Zoe Bullamore (Ilfracombe Academy)

The Committee heard and NOTED  that the annual report had been finalised and sent to the Department for Education. It was noted that the foreward written by the previous chair of Devon SACRE comments included about the excellent support of the RE advisor and the outstanding work of Learn Teach Lead RE through local hubs.

An update about data collection from schools regarding RE provision will be reported at the meeting.

The Committee received and NOTED data collected regarding RE provision in schools. 

The Committee noted the Religious Studies GCSE entries and their outcomes and concern about the drop in the number of students being entered for the GCSE RS exam. The percentage of Year 11 cohort entered for 2024 was 25.7%, a decrease from 44.8% in 2022. In 2024 only 56 entries were made for A level students

During general discussion the following points were made

·       funding could be the reason that Religious Studies was not offered as a GCSE subject  in some schools due to the lack of specialist teaching staff; 

·       the RE curriculum has been found not to be up to date in some schools;

·       ongoing collaborative work could be offered to help assist with teaching;

·       concern that some church school figures were not as positive as expected;

·       that A Level Religious Studieswas not offered as a subject at either Exeter College or Petroc College.

The Committee suggested that the Diocese be approached regarding results of church aided schools and the RE Adviser should make contact with schools who are not offering RS as a GCSE option.

The purpose of this report is to update SACRE members on the findings published in recent Ofsted reports, particularly where comments relate to Religious Education (RE), collective worship or Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC) of pupils. Where appropriate, the report may recommend that SACRE officers should contact specified schools to either congratulate them on their outstanding practice, or to offer curriculum support in specified areas.

Ofsted reports from a number of primary schools make reference to issues relating to RE/CW/SMSC. Most of these comments are very encouraging.

A number of schools are being followed up specifically with regard to comments in their reports. 

The Committee NOTED the Ofsted reports for November 2024 – January 2025.  They heard that a letter of congratulations had been sent by the RE Adviser to those schools where RE had been praised in a recent Ofsted report. Schools were also contacted to offer support where the report showed concerns.

During general discussion it was suggested that the Governors be contacted where a school had not received a favourable result to offer advice and guidance.

The purpose of this report is to update SACRE members on plans to monitor and follow-up the implementation of the Devon and Torbay Agreed Syllabus 2024-29.

The Committee NOTED that feedback would be given at the next meeting following  the results of a teachers’ survey, to be carried out in May.

It was noted by colleagues of the Committee that the new syllabus had been very well received so far.

The purpose of this report is to update SACRE members on the progress of the Learn, Teach, Lead RE (LTLRE) hub network.

Hub leaders training (2024/5) takes place on 7 March 2025 and 4  July 2025.

The LTLRE hub groups across Devon continue to be successful, with termly meetings attracting both primary and secondary teachers of RE. These meetings take place both in person and online, depending on the context and topic being covered.

We have a number of new hub leaders: Shana Bartram-Owen and Amber Griffiths in Mid-Devon (new group), Lisa Lowe in East Devon, Shelley Moss in South Devon/Torbay, Zoe Bullamore in North Devon.

The next annual conference is planned for 10^th October 2025.

Devon SACRE is requested to make a £1,000 payment to LTLRE for the academic year 2024/5, as has been practice in recent years. This helps to support the training for one of our LTLRE hubs in the County. This figure has been set out in the SACRE development plan.

The Committee NOTED that Hub leaders training during 2024/25 would take place on 7 March 2025 and 4 July 2025 and £1,000 would be made to Learn Teach Lead RE hubs for the academic year 2024/25 as set out in the SACRE development plan.

The LTLRE hub groups in Devon continue to be successful, with termly meetings attracting both primary and secondary teachers of RE. The meetings take place both in person and online, dependent on the context and topic being covered.

The new hub leaders are:

Shana Bartram-Owen and Amber Griffiths in Mid-Devon

Lisa Lowe in East Devon

Shelley Moss in South Devon/Torbay

Zoe Bullamore in North Devon.

The next annual conference is planned for  October 2025.

An update on the latest Regional and National developments will be given at the meeting

The Committee were reminded about the RE Hubs and the information available.

They also heard about the NATRE response to the curriculum and assessment review, which included:

·       that NATRE highlighted the importance  and critical role that RE plays within the curriculum

·       Pupil feedback

·       Absence of accountability measures for academies and outdated content

The South West wing of the Young Ambassadors project involves Ed Pawson, (Devon SACRE Adviser) working with Y10/11 students from Okehampton College and Y6 pupils from Okehampton Primary School. These schools are both members of the Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, and one of the reasons for choosing these schools as partners is the Trust’s commitment to inclusion and equality.

Our Young Ambassadors are becoming increasingly confident as they grow into their ambassadorial roles. Activities include:

·       Participating in an online discussion with Daniel Greenberg (Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards), Josh Cass (Lead Consultant for Advocacy for Culham St Gabriel’s Trust) and Jan McGuire (AREIAC executive joint chair)

·       Creating a display for Interfaith Week

·       Setting up a Christian Union, which is proving to be a popular school club

·       Speaking at the Opening Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration events in Exeter on 27/1/25, introducing the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz

·       Visiting Exeter Mosque

·       Planning a community Iftar event for Ramadan, to take place in the school

·       Planning a visit to Westminster in July 2025 to have talks with members of Parliament

Pupils from Okehampton College and Okehampton Primary School, both members of the Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, are taking part in the two year project.

The Ambassadors have been involved in:

·       Participation in an online discussion with  the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Lead Consultant for Advocacy for Culham St Gabriel’s Trust, and AREIAC executive joint chair

·       Creation of  a display for Interfaith Week

·       Setting up a Christian Union,

·       Speaking at the Opening Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration events in Exeter

An update on the training day for faith and belief visitors to schools.

The Faith and Belief visitor training days will be held on Saturday 8 March 2025, 9.30am – 12.30pm at the Mint Church, Exeter

An update will be given to the Committee about the recent Holocaust Memorial Day events.

The Committee NOTED that Holocaust Memorial Day took place on 27 January 2025.  Various  events took place and specific mention was made about the service in Exeter cathedral which over  400 people attended.  In total, over 250 pupils took part in the day, coming from 12 schools across Devon.

An update about the new multi faith centre at Exeter University will be given at the meeting.

The new Multi-Faith Centre includes a Muslim prayer space, a multi-faith space for quiet reflection, services and events, a house communal meeting space, a kitchen, a dedicated office for the Multifaith Chaplaincy Team, a Changing Places Facility and an external terrace area.

The Committee heard about the new multi-faith centre located at Exeter University.

The South West Conference will be held online on Monday 3 March 2025, 1pm - 4pm.

The online South West SACRE conference will be held on Monday  3 March 2025 1pm  - 4pm  and is open to all SACRE members.

NASACRE virtual training 2024-2025 programme acts as a conduit through which SACRE’s can be brought together. The programme of sessions can be booked through the Devon SACRE clerk.

The Committee NOTED the forthcoming NASACRE  training sessions.

The next meetings of Devon SACRE will be held on:

Tuesday 17 June 2025

Thursday 13 November 2025

The Committee NOTED the dates of future meetings:

Tuesday 17 June 2025

Thursday 13 November 2025