Agenda item

Ian Hodgson will give a brief talk on Humanism, to be followed by questions from Members.  Understanding Humanism: core knowledge (ages 5-14) is attached for  information.

Using the Humanism UK Core Knowledge Guide as a basis, Ian Hodgson gave an overview of the main aspects of Humanism. Olivia Seymour thanked him for his update and noted that the guide had been a good resource for schools and from page 6 onwards gave a good example of how to teach world views in schools. This was supported by Maxine Squire who welcomed the guide as encouraging independent thought and being useful in schools as part of RE and the wider curriculum.

Members thanked Ian Hodgson for his update and in answer to Member questions noted that:

With reference to page 12 of the guide on vocabulary for 5-7 year olds in explaining the big bang, he explained how he would teach it a timeline for the natural cause of the universe. (It was noted that he was a former teacher). A Member noted that in Key Stage 1 the guide could help teachers to look at the introduction of non religious world views.

A Group C Member noted that Humanism was discussed through the key stages and came into focus in Key Stage 2.

A Member noted that in his profession as a funeral director approximately 85% of clients were non religious but did not necessarily ascribe to Humanism. Ian Hodgson explained that views across Humanism were not homogenous. Olivia Seymour added that this was part of why the new syllabus had worked towards religious and world views.

Teaching RE in Primary School

Andy Tod gave a presentation on teaching RE in primary school. He detailed the Ofsted framework for RE, the nine characteristics of RE and challenges in RE, noting that the RE Today syllabus was very helpful. He noted that the

York schools’ RE network had identified the need for resources in teaching RE.

Andy Tod was thanked for his presentation and in response to Member questions explained that:

Parental involvement was important and schools worked within the communities they were based. There was also the opportunity to bring parents into school to share their beliefs .

The schools RE network had identified that new teachers needed RE training.

[The meeting adjourned for a break at 7.02pm and resumed at 7.05pm].

Teaching RS in Secondary School

Taco Michiels gave a presentation on teaching RE in secondary school. He gave an overview of the good, bad and ugly aspects of this. He was thanked for his presentation and in answer to Member questions noted that:

Regarding LGBT and transgender, gender was included in the teaching of citizenship. Maxine Squire added that this was also included in different ways in PSE, pastoral time and was part of promoting the British value of tolerance.

A Member asked if RS having less time in the curriculum had seen less teachers training to be RS teachers. Taco Michiels noted that this different area to area and Maxine Squire added that for the last few years, quotas had been set for subject specialisms. Olivia Seymour noted that there was a national expectation for initial teacher training and one of the roles of SACRE could be to encourage institutions to have quality initial teacher training.

Resolved: That Members receive the Member updates.

Reason: In order to be kept up to date on the roles of SACRE Members.