The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) met on Wednesday 6 March 2024 to discuss the council's annual report, school website monitoring, and the SACRE's constitution and membership. Key decisions included agreeing to seek greater representation from Sunni Muslim and Tamil Hindu communities, and noting the positive exam results achieved by Harrow schools in Religious Education.

Annual Report and Exam Results

The SACRE reviewed its Annual Report for 2022-23, which has been published on the NASACRE website. The report highlights that Harrow schools are performing above national averages in both GCSE and A-level Religious Education (RE) examinations. Ven Sumana Sramaner provided an insight into the teaching of RE at Whitmore High School, noting that students choosing to study two religions in depth achieved high grades, comparable to subjects with more teaching hours. He also commented on the national shortage of secondary RE specialist teachers, although Whitmore High School is currently in a good staffing position.

School Website Monitoring

A review of school websites indicated that most schools have adopted the Agreed Syllabus for RE. While websites generally provide good information on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development, there is less detail on Collective Worship, often referred to as Assemblies. It was suggested that including the name of the RE subject leader on school websites would help SACRE to provide better support. Members were asked to continue monitoring their assigned school websites for any changes.

SACRE Self-Evaluation and Development Planning

The council undertook a self-evaluation exercise based on the NASACRE framework, focusing on the management of SACRE and its partnerships. It was noted that Harrow SACRE's budget of £4969 is significantly less than the national average of £11,000. Alternative funding streams for specific projects, particularly those promoting social cohesion, were discussed. The council evaluated its funding and professional support as established, its meetings as established, and its membership and training as established. However, improvement and development planning was rated as developing, with a proposal for a sub-committee to address this. Partnership with key stakeholders, including the Local Authority and Harrow Interfaith, was rated as advanced, while relations with the academies sector were considered developing due to limited contact.

Constitution and Membership

In light of the 2021 Census data, which shows changes in religious demographics in Harrow, the council agreed to seek greater representation from the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Islam communities. Specifically, a representative from the Sunni tradition of Islam is needed, as Muhammad currently represents the Shia tradition. Councillors present agreed to these changes in representation. Arvind Halai, who has been an observer for two years, is also prepared to become a full member. Alison Stowe will contact Harrow Central Mosque to seek a Sunni representative and will follow up on a Tamil Hindu contact provided by Councillor Sasi Suresh.

Local and National Updates

The council received updates on local and national RE matters. A recent visit to the Brent Sikh Centre was described as a positive experience, highlighting intergenerational participation and a strong sense of community. A meeting with RE subject leaders at Marlborough Primary School discussed syllabus implementation and the need for further guidance on assessment. Nationally, the recruitment of RE teachers remains a challenge. The council was also reminded of the upcoming Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and the 20th annual Spirited Arts competition. Information on RE Hubs, which offer free webinars, and guidance on Ramadan 2024 were also shared.

Future Dates

The next SACRE meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 25 June 2024. Future meetings are planned for Wednesday 18 September 2024, Wednesday 4 December 2024, and Wednesday 5 March 2025. Discussions also took place regarding the format and timing of future meetings, with a preference for earlier in the day and the possibility of hybrid meetings. Members were invited to suggest alternative venues, with adequate parking being a key consideration.