Minutes:
Jo Fageant advised that it was not known how Religious Education would fit into the new proposed ‘E Bac’ system (Baccalaureate) which could replace GCSE’s.
There was anecdotal evidence that more children were taking the full course education option. The Committee was also advised that the government was happy for the Religious Education Council (REC) to review education but this was not funded by the government and not statutory. All SACRES would be allowed to comment on the REC’s findings.
A member asked how the delivery of RE in schools was monitored and Jo Fageant advised that this was one of the responsibilities of SACRE who also published the syllabus. It was highlighted that SACRE used to do this through a monitoring of Ofsted reports which then had made comment on RE provision and quality. This is no longer the case in Ofsted reports and no satisfactory alternative method of fulfilling this aspect of the SACRE’s responsibility has been found.
Resolved - That the update report be noted.