Contents

Page

 

Introduction

 

Introduction from Chair of City of York SACRE

 

Meeting and attendance 2020-21

 

Agreed Syllabus Conference

 

 

RE Statutory Responsibilities

 

Locally Agreed Syllabus

 

Standards and Monitoring of RE

 

Teaching training and materials and advice for schools

 

 

Collective Worship

 

 

Links with other bodies

 

 

City of York SACRE’s own arrangements

 

 

Appendix

 

City Of York SACRE Development Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Introduction

Foreword by the Chair of SACRE

 

The academic year 2020-21 has seen a continuation of the disruption arising from Covid.  Despite this, York’s schools, their staff, support teams and pupils have coped remarkably well and I would like to thank everybody involved for their hard work and dedication during this period.

In spite of the need to limit physical contact between people, SACRE has been able to meet  remotely for the four agreed meetings throughout the year and it has been able to continue its work effectively.

In Group A, we said farewell to Keith Albans who has served as Methodist representative for a number of years.  SACRE also said farewell to Tracey Copestake who has served as a Society of Friends representative for a number of years and we welcomed Deborah Evans who joined us in March 2021. 

In the same month, we also welcomed Kate Bailey as a Roman Catholic representative.At our June meeting, we also said farewell to John Thompson, our LA Officer; we send John every good wish for a long and happy retirement.

 

Despite the ongoing challenges during the academic year 2020-21 we were delighted to introduce the City of York Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2021–26).  We are confident that this new syllabus, along with the supporting materials for teachers, will ensure that RE in York’s schools is an academic subject which is relevant, engaging and challenging. It offers flexibility for teachers in secondary schools and a high level of support for primary schools through guidance, practical 

The updated syllabus introduces children and young people to beliefs and how they affect the ways that people live; it also brings in ideas about identity, belonging, values and commitment. The syllabus is structured so that pupils  can explore a range of questions and answers related to these aspects of life and RE. This challenges them to learn more about how peoples’ beliefs and values influence the way they choose to live their lives.  We believe that the syllabus will encourage a thoughtful, mindful and questioning approach to life and it will seek to grow pupils’ understanding of themselves and others. Its aim is to educate children and young people in York for life not only in their local area, but as world citizens, helping to prepare them for life in Britain and the wider world.

To function effectively, SACRE relies on the contributions of individual members and the supporting work done by our officers; I want to thank all concerned for helping to make this year successful and, despite challenges, for accomplishing the launch of the Agreed Syllabus covering the period 2021-26.

 

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson

Chair, City of York SACRE

 

 

 

Meeting and Attendance 2020-21

City of York SACRE met four times in the academic year 2020-21

14th October 2020

2nd December 2020

3rd March 2021

29th June 2021

 

During the academic year 2020-21 City of York SACRE met remotely to comply with Covid19 restrictions, apart from the June 2021 meeting.

The attendance, by Committee, is set out below:-

Committee

14th Oct 2020

2nd December  2020

3rd  March 2021

29th  June 2021

Committee A

5

6

6

5

Committee B

2

1

2

2

Committee C

1

2

1

1

Committee D

3

4

4

2

LA Officer

1

1

1

1

Total

12

14

14

11

 

All meetings were quorate however there are a number of vacancies and efforts are being made to fill the vacancies.

A focus on the SACRE development plan, a report from the Local Authority officer (including a focus on standards) and a report on national NASACRE and RE professional organisations updates are standing items at each meeting

Agreed Syllabus Conference

City of York set up an Agreed Syllabus Conference to review the Agreed Syllabus in the academic year 2020-21.  The ASC met 3 times during the Academic year

Wednesday 14th October 2020

Wednesday 2nd December 2020

Wednesday 3rd March 2021

City of York SACRE and the Agreed Syllabus Conference consulted with schools through online meetings and a questionnaire to determine the nature of the review. Consultation included questions on the effectiveness of the current syllabus and the key components and changes schools felt were needed in any new syllabus.

85% of schools and academies who responded stated the syllabus was either extremely effective or very effective 15% stated moderately effective.

79% of schools and academies who responded stated the syllabus guidance was extremely effective or very effective for planning and delivering a coherent programme of learning.  21% selected moderately effective.

Following this consultation with teachers, the Agreed Syllabus Conference reviewed a range of options available and voted to continue the relationship with RE Today Services and update the 2016-2021 syllabus to include:

 

The syllabus was launched on 21st May 2021 with a virtual full day training course.  42 out of the 52 schools and academies following the syllabus were represented.

 

2.     RE ( statutory responsibilities)

Locally agreed syllabus

There are 19 primary, 2 secondary and 1 special maintained schools who follow the City of York Locally Agreed Syllabus 

There are 25 primary, 4 secondary and 1 special academies who have adopted the City of York Locally Agreed Syllabus 

 

Separate regulations covering maintained special schools require them to ensure that as far as practicable every pupil receives opportunities to explore RE. The City of York Agreed Syllabus 2021-2026 includes specific guidance and support for Special Schools.  Special Schools use the City of York Locally Agreed Syllabus, at least partially, and adapt it to meet the needs of the pupils.

 

 

 

 

Standards and monitoring of RE

Due to the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, City of York SACRE has been limited in its ability to actively monitor standards in RE across the York schools.  No Ofsted inspections have taken place and have not been reported to SACRE.

 
In 2020 and 2021 national exams were cancelled and the DFE have not released the pupil or school level dataset. In 2020 exams were cancelled in the light of school and college closures for most students and uncertainty over whether exams could take place safely. In 2021 the government concluded that it would not be fair for exams to go ahead as planned once schools and colleges closed to the majority of students again in January 2021. Therefore, SACRE has not used external data to support its monitoring for 2020-21. 

 

City of York SACRE developed and approved a monitoring questionnaire in the academic year 2020-21 and this was circulated to schools in September 2021. In future years this will strengthen monitoring. In 2020-21 the main focus of monitoring was through the review of the locally Agreed Syllabus.  Consultation with teachers took place via a questionnaire and the Agreed Syllabus Conference.

 

Teaching training and materials and advice for schools

During the academic year 2020-2021 the focus of professional development was centred on support for implementing the new locally agreed syllabus.  A training day with a focus on curriculum development and intent, implementation and impact was held virtually on 21st May 2021 with 42 out of the 52 schools and academies in City of York attending.

Schools were also signposted to regional training workshops organised by the Regional RE Ambassador including a session with Dr Richard Kueh HMI on Ofsted and RE. 

City of York SACRE in partnership with the Regional RE Ambassador supported the introduction of a NATRE local group for primary RE teachers and a NATRE local group for secondary teachers following the launch of the locally agreed syllabus in May 2021.

City of York SACRE received no formal complaints regarding RE provision in the academic -year 2020-21.

 

3.     Collective Worship

Besides Religious Education each local authority must work with its SACRE to monitor the provision of daily collective worship.  As a result of changes to the Ofsted framework and in the absence of further guidance, the City of York SACRE published new guidance in 2017 to support Collective Worship in schools in the City, which it continues to promote within schools. The guidance is available on the City of York SACRE website (www.york.gov.uk/sacre).

 

Schools may apply to SACRE for a determination in order to provide Collective Worship of a non-Christian or other form. As in previous years, no determinations were requested by schools. 

 

There were no complaints registered with City of York SACRE in 2020/2021 in respect of collective worship.  Updating City of York guidance on Collective Worship has been identified as a development point for City of York SACRE. 

 

4.     Links with other bodies

City of York SACRE is a member of the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE).  Through the year SACRE members were informed of developments in RE from NASACRE, The National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE) and The Religious Education Council of England and Wales (REC).  The Chair and Vice Chair of SACRE attended the Summer 2021 NASACRE conference and reported back to members.  City of York SACRE has also engaged with the NATRE Regional Ambassador for RE.

City of York SACRE has a long standing relationship with York Interfaith Group.  York Interfaith Group was represented at the launch of the Locally Agreed Syllabus and have set up a mechanism to support visits and visitors to York schools.

City of York SACRE supports the York Holocaust Memorial Day event.  This event took place virtually in January 2021.

During the Academic year City of York SACRE commissioned specialist RE adviser support from Olivia Seymour, Diocese of York. This support focused on supporting the review of the locally agreed syllabus and training for teachers.

 

5.     City of York SACRE’s own arrangements

During the academic year 2020-21 City of York SACRE formed a closer relationship with City of York Council’s Democratic Services.  In spring 2021 Democratic Services, in consultation with City of York SACRE, began the process of reviewing the constitution. This has led to the role of SACRE being clarified within the Council’s constitution and has enhanced the visibility of SACRE.

Alongside the ongoing review of the constitution, training needs for SACRE members have been identified and a programme of training was agreed for 2021-22.

An officer in the Local Authority’s Democratic Services Section acts as Clerk to SACRE.  

In addition, the Director of Governance provides professional support and advice to SACRE, principally on matters of governance and matters relating to the work of the Council and its Committees.

 

The people who serve on York SACRE are invited to do so by the Corporate Director of People on the recommendation of various bodies in the local community with a concern for the religious education of school children. The law prescribes that there have to be four “committees” each comprising representatives of specified groups. The current SACRE is constituted as follows:-

Representing Other Denominations / Faith Communities:- 

Kevin Duffy resigned autumn 2020 Kate Bailey joined March 2021 (Catholic)

Ben Rich (Jewish)

Keith Albans (Methodist)

Iman Abid Salik (Muslim)

Tracey Copestake resigned autumn term 2020 Deborah Evans joined March 2021

(Religious Society of Friends)

Vacant (Salvation Army)

Vacant (Sikh)

Daryoush Mazloum (York Baha’i Community)

Penny Coppin-Siddall (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Ian Hodgson (Humanist)        

 

Representing the Church of England:-

Olivia Seymour (Diocese of York)

Katherine Harper (Archbishop Holgate’s CE Academy)

 

Representing Teachers:-       

Claire Hennigan (Yearsley Grove)

Jenny Mooney (Westfield)

Brenda Christison (Naburn)

Representing the City of York Council are Councillors:-                

Ian Cuthbertson (Lib Dem)    

Martin Rowley (Con)

Chris Cullwick (Lib Dem)

Fiona Fitzpatrick (Lab)

      

In attendance:-

John Thompson (Education Adviser)

Janie Berry (Democratic Services)

Angela Bielby (Clerk)

 

Finance – annual budget

York’s SACRE is assigned an annual budget of £3,500. In 2020-21 additional costs were incurred due to the commissioning and launch of the Agreed Syllabus.  A summary of spend in 2020-21 is shown in the table below:

Item

 

Total Spend

NASACRE annual membership fee for 2020-21

 

£105.00

Specialist RE adviser commissioned from Diocese of York

 

£1,400

RE Today input for Agreed Syllabus launch event

 

£1,000

RE Today 5 year license for Agreed Syllabus

 

£3,445.00

Room booking ad conference fees

 

£225.00

 

 

 

Total spend 2020-21

 

£6,175.00

 

 

Appendix

Development Plan

 

Circulation 

This report is circulated to 

·         NASACRE 

·         DfE 

·         City of York Council Children, Education and Communities Scrutiny

·         City of York schools 

·         SACRE members representative bodies