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

Annual Report and Exam Results

The council reviewed the SACRE 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 GCSE and A-level Religious Education (RE) results. Ven Sumana Sramaner, a representative from Whitmore High School, shared insights into their RE curriculum, noting that students choosing to study two religions in depth achieved high grades, comparable to subjects with more weekly lessons. He also commented on the national shortage of secondary RE specialist teachers, though Whitmore High School is currently well-staffed.

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. Alison, the Acting Adviser to SACRE, plans to write an article for the Harrow Newsletter suggesting that RE subject leaders' contact details be included on school websites to facilitate better support. Members were encouraged to continue monitoring their assigned school websites for any changes.

NASACRE Self-Evaluation and Development Planning

The council engaged in a self-evaluation exercise based on the NASACRE framework, focusing on Area 1: Management of SACRE and Partnership with the LA and other Key Stakeholders.

• Funding: Harrow SACRE operates on a budget of £4969, which is less than half the national average. Members acknowledged the local authority's financial constraints and discussed exploring alternative funding streams for specific projects, particularly those promoting social cohesion. Alison will investigate potential funding from the John Lyon Charity.
• SACRE Meetings: The idea of holding meetings at different venues was discussed and welcomed as a way to increase SACRE's visibility within the community.
• Membership and Training: The council noted its established team but identified succession planning and training for new members as priorities. Vivian Wright, the Clerk to SACRE, will recirculate information on NASACRE webinars and resources for new members.
• Improvement/Development Planning: While a development plan is in place, it requires costing and a defined timeframe. A sub-committee, including Lisa Kassapian (RE Advisor), Alison, David, Mary, Elizabeth, and Councillor Janet Mote, will be formed to work on this.
• Partnership with Key Stakeholders: SACRE is well-supported by the Local Authority (LA) and maintains strong links with Harrow Interfaith.
• Relations with Academies Sector: Contact with academies has been limited to date.

Constitution and Membership

In light of the 2021 Census data, which shows changes in religious demographics in Harrow, the council discussed the need for greater representation from the Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) and Islam communities. Specifically, a representative from the Sunni Muslim tradition is sought, as Muhammad Datoo currently represents the Shia tradition. Councillors present agreed to these changes in representation. Arvind Halai, who has been a regular observer, is prepared to become a full member. Alison 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

• Visit to Brent Sikh Centre: Karen Collier, Councillor Sasi Suresh, and Alison attended a visit to the Brent Sikh Centre, reporting a warm welcome and a positive experience observing intergenerational participation and community spirit.
• Subject Leaders Meeting: A meeting with sixteen RE subject leaders at Marlborough Primary School discussed syllabus implementation, terminology, and assessment. There was a noted need for further guidance on assessment.
• National RE Teacher Recruitment: Recruitment of RE teachers remains a challenge nationally, despite government support for training.
• Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD): Bhopal reported on the Harrow HMD commemoration and expressed a desire to build closer links between SACRE and Harrow Interfaith.
• Spirited Arts Competition: Members were informed about the 20th annual Spirited Arts competition.
• RE Hubs: The RE Hubs initiative is active and offers free webinars.
• Ramadan 2024: Harrow SACRE's guidance on fasting during Ramadan remains relevant and is available on the SACRE website.

Future Dates

The council noted upcoming events including the NASACRE AGM and Conference on 20 May 2024, and the Harrow RE Subject Leaders network group meeting on 19 June 2024. Dates for SACRE meetings in 2024-25 were confirmed, with a move towards earlier meeting times and the possibility of hybrid formats. Members were invited to suggest alternative venues, with adequate parking being a key requirement.