Agenda and minutes

1.1       RESOLVED – to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last Committee meeting held on 23 November 2015.

2.1       Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Charlton, Councillor Kim Forward and Dr Anne Holt (Church of England Diocese Representative).

Notification of items which the Chair considers to be urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda. Any members who wish to raise urgent items are asked, wherever possible, to notify the Chair before the start of the meeting. In so doing, they must state the special circumstances which they consider justify the matter being considered urgent.

3.1       No urgent matters were notified.

Presentation by Temporary Chief Superintendent Di Roskilly

Report by the Chief Executive.

5.1       The Committee were invited to review its input into the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process and to identify any lessons for future improvements.   The Committee were reminded by the Chair that the item before them was an opportunity to comment on the process itself and, for example, the quality of the information presented to them.     

5.2       RESOLVED: It was resolved to agree that the information provided to the Committee was sufficient and that overall the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources process functioned well.

Report by Councillor Roy Galley

6.1       Councillor Roy Galley as Chair of the Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education (SACRE) introduced the report and highlighted a number of key issues, which included:

·        There is an increased work programme this year given the statutory requirement to perform a review of the syllabus.  

·        A number of national developments, including the Government’s White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’.   It was noted that the white paper does not specifically mention religious education.   Given this and the whitepaper’s proposed increase in the number of academies, Councillor Galley also commented that this might in future create further uncertainty about access to religious education for young people.

·        The variable levels of take up (and attainment) for the religious education GCSE.

·        SACRE is hoping to carry out a significant number of school visits over the coming year (focusing on secondary schools), so as to develop an understanding of what the key are issues are from the perspective of both teachers and students with regard to the provision of religious education.

6.2       The Committee asked how the recommendations from SACRE will be applied to academies.    In response the Committee were informed by Julie Dougill (Senior Manager, Leadership and Governor Services) that although the government whitepaper does not specifically mention religious education, it does reference the national curriculum.   It is therefore anticipated that more detailed work on this area by the government may address this point in due course.    Furthermore, many academies in East Sussex are following the agreed syllabus. 

6.3       The Committee commented on the widely varying levels of take up of the Religious Education GCSE course at different schools in East Sussex.  In response, Julie Dougill informed the Committee that it was accepted that there is a concern on this point and that this was one of the reasons why SACRE had decided to focus on secondary schools.  

6.4       RESOLVED:-  It was resolved to agree the recommendations of the report to:

1)     note the work of SACRE in improving the quality of religious education, collective worship and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural development and British Values 2015-2016;

2)     note the ongoing three year development plan for SACRE; and

3)     continue to support SACRE in its role in promoting British values.

7.1       The Committee discussed the work programme and potential areas for future scrutiny reviews.   The discussion included reference to the following items.

7.2       The Committee were informed that following an initial meeting, the Key Stage 1 Educational Attainment Review Board had decided to reduce the scope of the review with a view to producing two or three recommendations relating to a specific subject area within the Key Stage.  

7.3       Away Day discussion.   Whilst not part of the work programme, the Committee discussed arrangements for two future ‘Away Days’, out of which further scrutiny reviews might arise.   The Committee agreed therefore that arrangements be made for the following sessions: 

·        July Away Day.    Following on from the presentation by Sussex Police, the Committee expressed concerns about the potential safeguarding threats children and young people maybe being exposed to in relation to their online activities and associated issues relating to their mental health and well-being.   The Committee asked therefore that an informal meeting (Away Day) be arranged at which these issues could be discussed.  

·        October Away Day.   The Committee agreed it would like to discuss at an Away Day the Government White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’.

The Forward Plan for the period 3 March 2016 to 30 June 2016. The Committee is asked to make comments or request further information.

8.1       The Committee noted the Forward plan for the period 3 March to 30 June 2016.