Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillor Avatar Sandhu, Carolyn Appleby, and Naseem Bint Amir.

The minutes of meeting held on 20 March 2013were agreed as a correct record and there were the following matters arising:

What do we want to achieve as Hillingdon SACRE? Towards a strategic development plan for the use of funds/resources (Agenda item 3)

It was noted that the Carol Jones, the Vice-Chairman and Duncan Struthers, would meet to develop some proposals for further discussion at the next meeting on 6 November 2013.

The Chairman announced that the 'Walk Through The Bible' (WTTB) course held on 4 June 2013 had been well attended and had been successfully run. Staff had been given a highly valuable opportunity through an engaging presentation, at the end of which, they were able to take away a great deal of enhanced ideas to supplement their teaching in school.

Duncan Struthers, HSACRE Advisor added that fifty percent of staff from the Borough’s schools had attended the course, which had focused on the Old Testament and not specifically on Christianity. It was noted that funding was available for the course to be repeated towards the end of the year. Staff would find this type of course very useful, as it would aid the provision of continuous personal development.

On behalf of HSACRE, thanks were extended to Mr Struthers and Alison Fothergill, Hillingdon Inter Faith Network (HIFN) Co-ordinator for organising such a highly successful course.

Those present discussed the ideas of HSACRE members hosting future meetings at their places of worship or schools. During discussion it was indicated that this would be a valuable opportunity to not only gain a further insight into the places of worship or schools, but would also enable HSACRE members to be given a guided tour and history of the venues.

There were discussions about the usefulness of having an inter faith network to support and encourage teachers. It was acknowledged that this already existed and faith representatives and clerics were already being invited to visit schools to discuss their faiths.

The Chairman commented that the WTTB course was an example of a way of providing help and support for teachers. It was suggested that teacher subject knowledge, such as exploring text from other faiths was one way in which HSACRE would like to be able to encourage.

It was noted however, that HASCRE could find out from different faith Community groups what they were doing that could be shared with schools.

It was suggested that RE Co-ordinators would find it very useful to have a directory of places of worship to visit, and pointed out that HSACRE should also encourage schools to make these visits. In doing so, not only would it provide information about the history of faith buildings, it would help to dispel any myths that children may have about those faiths.  Duncan Struthers added that there were 120 places of worship within the Borough.

An aspect of HSACRE’s role was highlighted as providing guidance and direction to schools, and accepted that it should also include the promotion of ideas about places of worship.

The problem of costs for transport was raised as an issue that may deter schools from visiting places of worship that were not within walking distance of the schools.

Councillor (Cllr) David Routledge suggested that HSACRE should write to Cllr Ray Puddifoot, Leader of the Council and Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration to seek help from the Borough for the provision of transport for school visits to places of worship.

Following discussion, HSACRE agreed that the next meeting on 6 November 2013 would be held at the Muslim Centre, Hayes (to be confirmed by 24 July 2013). Members were all encouraged to send in their expression of interest in hosting a meeting at their places of worship or school in the future. Dates of future meetings would then be allocated in agreement with the host venue.

Resolved that:

1)                 There was value in faith representatives continuing to visit schools to talk about their faiths.

2)                 HSACRE would hold future meetings in various venues.

3)                 A directory of places of worship would be developed and circulated to schools electronically.

The Chairman reported that the survey on ‘Continuing Professional Development’ (CPD) which focussed on RE and not collective worship in primary schools had now been finalised. The questionnaire would be targeted at primary schools and would be sent out electronically. HSACRE members would also be targeted in the survey.

It was noted that the idea of the survey was to ascertain what would be most useful to schools and offer training opportunities of high quality that HSACRE would endorse. The questionnaire would be sent out electronically to Headteachers and RE contacts in schools and anticipated that it would be promoted by Primary Forum Groups. In advertising the survey this way, it was considered that the Primary Forum Groups and Headteachers would also become aware of the key messages HSACRE was trying to promote.

A further avenue of promotion was noted as through School Governor meetings/networks, which would assist in ensuring that the survey was completed.  

The NASACRE Summer Newsletter 2013 was noted and it was highlighted that the RE Subject Review was being taken at a very quick pace. The Expert Panel would be starting its Phase 1 work in July 2013, with a view to producing its draft work in October 2013.

 HSACRE Members were urged to submit any personal reflection on being a SACRE, in response to the All-party Parliamentary Group (APPG) call for evidence on teacher supply and support. Personal reflections should be emailed to Steven Maiden at smaiden@hillingdon.gov.uk which would be collated and sent to Daniels Norris, Chairman of HSACRE.

The Chairman added that SACRE was being incorporated with PSHE in many schools and stressed that HSACRE would use any opportunity given to respond to the APPG, but emphasised that decisions were being made very quickly without consultation.

Inter Faith Event

Mr Struthers announced that Swakelys School was hosting an inter faith event on Thursday 27 June 2013, at the RAC Centre from 12.30pm. This was a drop-in event showing how different schools were working together.

Ramadan

Mr Struthers handed out copies of the revised 2013 guidance on Ramadan – The Arrangements for Schools in Hillingdon, serving the Muslim Pupils during the month of Ramadan. It was noted that guidance on how to support children engaging with Ramadan was first produced in 2006, by members of the Islamic communities, Hillingdon SACRE and Inter Faith Network (HIFN). The 2013 guidance had been expanded further to clarify any confusion amongst parents, as to how Ramadan affected children in school.

The guidance also recommended to parents against small children fasting during the week and advised parents to instead, encourage children to fast at weekends. It was recognised however, that some small children would join their parents in fasting, as they did not wish to feel left out.

HSACRE agreed that the document should be sent out to schools in order to give useful advice and guidance on this issue. Copies would also be sent to Muslim places of worship.

It was highlighted that similar advice and guidance documents should be produced for other faith groups in order to give directions in accessing available resources, as HSACRE was very keen to show application of equality to all faith groups.

HSACRE members were invited to submit any comments they may have on the 2013 Ramadan Advice and Guidance by 20 June 2013, after which, it would be circulated to schools.

Cllr David Routledge expressed concerns about the changes in Government Legislation regarding children being taken out of school during term-time. It was noted that further details relating to this issue should be provided and circulated to HSACRE and Governing bodies in schools for information.

Amir Ahmed added that any non-Muslim person would be very welcome to attend a prayer meeting and, or to break fast at the Muslim Centre, 3 Pump Lane, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 3NB. Please call Amir on 07956 212834 to discuss timing.

On behalf of HSACRE, the Chairman expressed sincere thanks to all those who had been involved in preparing the 2013 Ramadan Advice and Guidance document.

Resolved

1)                 That the Advice and Guidance on Ramadan be circulated to all schools with the exception of academies and schools of particular faiths.

2)                 Requested an update on Government Legislation in respect of children being taken out of school during term-time to be circulated to HASCRE and School Governing Bodies.