Apologies from absence were received from Ms C Wolfe.

None.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2013.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 1 March 2013 were approved and signed.

None.

To comment on the draft SACRE Annual report for the academic year September 2012 to July 2013.

SACRE noted that there was a new format to the Annual Report.  It was suggested that the report should be sent to every Headteacher in the County.  This would be done electronically, through the Council’s Schools Online service.

RESOLVED:  That the Annual Report 2012/13 be approved and a copy forwarded to NASCRE.

To consider the Religious Studies examination results for 2013.

SACRE noted a report on the religious studies examination results for 2013.  The Performance Improvement Officer reported that

·         There had been 24 entries for the A/S level exam in Herefordshire, and the outcomes would not be reported in the performance tables until the end of Key Stage 5.  These entries would be monitored in the future.  The majority of entries were not from the Hereford Sixth Form College.

·         Fifteen more children took the full course in 2013 than in 2012. However, results were less favourable with 73.7% gaining a C grade or above compared with 79.8% in 2012.

·         The short course attracted almost 25% more children. Results were less favourable overall, with 41.4% of children gaining a C grade or above. Girls significantly outperformed boys but the uptake, by both genders, of this subject was very similar in 2013 as a result of an increase of almost 30% in the number of male entrants.

·         The ELQ band C course attracted slightly fewer children this year. The number of children gaining grade 1 or 2 was significantly higher than in 2012. 

·         There was an increase in the number of A level entries amongst schools with a sixth form facility. The percentage of candidates gaining grade C or above fell by 22.4%. All candidates achieved a ‘Pass’ at A level.  

·         Performance overall had fallen this year.

In reply to a question from a Member regarding the performance of free school meal pupils, the Performance Improvement Officer said that this was a small cohort and as such the figures were distorted.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

To consider a report on recent national reports and their implications for the teaching of religious education in Herefordshire schools.

The Consultant for RE presented a report on recent national reports and their implications for the Teaching of religious education in Herefordshire schools.

During his report the following areas were highlighted:

·         That the enclosed Ofsted report ‘Religious Education: realising the potential’ was a small snapshot of schools.  The value of RE was highlighted, but there were seen to be limited improvements in teaching over the previous few years.   Ofsted had been critical of some agreed syllabuses, but were supportive of Herefordshire, with its long history of training through the Annual Conference.

The Consultant for RE concurred with a Member’s comment that there had not been a significant return from the survey that had been issued to schools.  He supported the Chairman’s comment that it had been important not to over-run schools with limited resources with surveys, but added that it was more of an issue that people were not attending the Annual Conference.

·         That the future vision of the Herefordshire Agreed Syllabus would be considered at the next meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

To review the feedback from the 2013 SACRE Annual Conference and consider arrangements for the 2014 conference and other training events.

SACRE received a report on the 2013 Annual Conference.  The Consultant for RE thanked Whitecross School and its staff for all the help they had given for the Conference, and said that there had been very positive feedback from the event.  During his presentation, he went on to say that:

·         That it was proposed that Herefordshire should work closely with Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in order to provide greater linkages but allow overlaps between the work of the three counties.

·         That special schools and primary schools with children with special needs would benefit from more specialised training in RE, as outlined in the timetable for the course to be held at Puckrup Hall, Tewkesbury on the 29 April 2014.

RESOLVED:

That

a)    The report be noted; and;

b)    Work should be undertaken in order to facilitate links between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire for the future.