Minutes:
Members were informed of a query being raised regarding pupils being allowed time off from school to participate in religious observance. This was in relation to a particular 9-day festival, noting that for many Shia Muslims, this had a different significance to other Muslims.
A member of a mosque in Northolt was invited to share their views from a Shia Islamic perspective, including information about requests from Shia families and guidance about a 9-day religious observance period in other councils.
In response, a guidance paper on school absence due to religious observance had been drafted for Committee discussion. The HSACRE Advisor suggested sending this guidance to schools for headteachers on authorising days for religious observance.
Some Members expressed concern that requesting 9 days off would be disruptive to children’s education.
Members raised concerns about compromising education for religious observance, highlighting the need to balance various faiths' needs.
Members responded that days off had not always fallen during school time but might sometimes necessitate the need for pupils to have time off school for religious observance.
Members also emphasised the importance of continuity in education and conveyed the challenges of managing long periods of absence.
The Chair noted the impact on resources and student learning of taking numerous days off for religious observance.
Questions arose about whether to publish the guidance policy as is or to amend the policy to specify a certain number of days.
Members suggested seeking clarity from the Head of Education & Lifelong Learning regarding the LA's views and the impact on schools of children taking numerous days off for religious observance.
The HSACRE Advisor clarified that the LA did not have any specific guidance on religious observance leave. The role of SACRE was to advise the LA and schools on matters connected with Religious Education. It was suggested that the guidance paper did not specify, for any religion or world view, a fixed number of days. Several reasons were given for this, including reference to content within the guidance paper itself.
The Head of Education & Lifelong Learning confirmed that the responsibility for granting children time off for religious observance lay with the discretion to headteachers on the number of authorised days for religious observance. However, additional days could be taken under specific circumstances, such as fasting periods. The guidance paper was advisory and allowed headteachers to consider various factors.
It was suggested the Head of Education & Lifelong Learning could consult the legal team to address any missing elements within the guidance paper. He added that the law was intentionally vague to support religious freedom, making the guidance document useful.
The Committee approved the guidance paper to be sent to the legal team for their view before distributing the document to schools and posting it on the Council website.
Members mentioned that there was a Sikh celebration taking place on 1 September 2024 and offered to send a list of Sikh holidays approved by government departments to the HSACRE Advisor.
(Agenda Item 10.2)
Members also highlighted the importance of getting to know each other as a SACRE and understanding different religions.
The HSACRE Advisor therefore suggested that HSACRE Members could share artwork or photos from their own lived experiences for the 14 November meeting, with the intention of recording this to share in schools.
A Member mentioned that Hillingdon does not recognise Black History Month and highlighted the interrelationship between religion and culture. It was noted that all religions were influenced and affected by culture, and the importance of learning about beliefs through real believers was stressed as an important part of RE.
Members recommended featuring HSACRE's work in the Hillingdon magazine monthly. It was suggested that the HSACRE Advisor could support this. The relevant member agreed to contact the HSACRE Advisor accordingly.
Members learnt that in another SACRE borough,the activities of SACRE had been captured in a video published on the Council website to be shared with the local Councillors. This activity, led by the HSACRE Advisor, could be something to consider themselves in the future.