North Yorkshire SACRE Newsletter

 

School Improvement and Early Years’ Service

November 2021

 

 

 

 

PLEASE PASS ON TO YOUR RE SUBJECT LEADER

 

Welcome to the autumn term SACRE newsletter for North Yorkshire schools.  This termly newsletter will keep you up to date on what SACRE is doing and the support it offers to North Yorkshire schools alongside national and regional updates and news on RE resources and training.

 

What is SACRE?

The  acronym  SACRE  stands  for:    Standing  Advisory  Council  on  Religious  Education
Why  is  there  a  SACRE?
Every  local  authority  (LA)  has  to  have  a  SACRE  by  law.  The  Children’s  Services  division of  the  LA  that  takes  responsibility  for  making  sure  SACRE  works  well  and  SACRE’s  work  is  related  to schools  and  their  curriculum.  
What  does  a  SACRE  do?

The  law  says  that  RE  must  be  taught  in  all  schools  and  a  SACRE’s  role  is  to  advise  its  local  authority  on  what  needs  to  be  done  to  improve  religious  education  (RE)  and collective worship  for  schools  in  its  area.  This  is  because  RE  is  not  part  of  the  National  Curriculum;  it  is  a  local  responsibility.  Through  the  SACRE,  local  communities  and  teachers  have  the  opportunity  to  influence  and  support  what  pupils  learn  in  RE. 

The  SACRE’s  main  function  is  to  advise  the  local  authority  on  matters  related  to  the  religious education,  which  follows  the  locally  agreed  syllabus,  and  on  collective  worship  in  schools.   

Where do I go for advice relating to RE or Collective Worship in my school? Olivia Seymour, is the Professional RE Adviser for maintained schools in North Yorkshire over the coming academic year. (Please note for church schools Olivia can provide advice relating to the Agreed Syllabus but we encourage church schools to seek wider RE advice from their home diocese) Olivia also provides advice to community schools on matters relating to collective worship (church schools should again seek advice from their home diocese) Enquires into the Local Authority can be directed to schoolimprovementservice@northyorks.gov.uk and the service will provide a conduit to the specialist advice. You can find out more about RE in North Yorkshire schools here: https://cyps.northyorks.gov.uk/religious-education-re You can find out more about collective worship in North Yorkshire schools here: https://cyps.northyorks.gov.uk/collective-worship
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Olivia Seymour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image representing the portal: NYES-Logo

Spring Term training and Professional Practice Groups for Primary and Secondary RE Leads

 

This year NYCC is offering termly online professional practice networks for all schools.    These networks will include support for subject knowledge, curriculum-planning using the North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus, national and local updates, resources to support RE and an opportunity to ask questions and share good practice. 

 

Primary This term the Primary RE professional practice networks will focus on

‘Assessment in RE’ including a focus on the Ofsted Research Review for Religious Education

There are two options for the network

Tuesday 1st March 2022 09.30-11.30   course code SI-0322-T039

To book go to https://www.nyestraining.co.uk/Event/156873

Monday 7th March 2022 13.30-15.30 course code SI-0322-T040

To book go to  https://www.nyestraining.co.uk/Event/156876

 

Secondary This term the secondary RE professional practice network will focus on

intent and implementation of an effective RE curriculum (with a particular focus on curriculum progression, deep dives and Ofsted expectations)

Monday 28th March 2022 16.00-18.00 course code SI-0322-T041

To book go to https://www.nyestraining.co.uk/Event/156877



Primary Religious Education Subject Leadership Course

 

This practical course is suitable for new or developing Primary RE subject leads to support developing an effective RE curriculum. This course will be split over 2 sessions with a gap task in between

The course focuses on

·         developing an effective RE curriculum using the locally Agreed Syllabus

·         developing an understanding of the role of Primary RE lead

·         developing meaningful and manageable monitoring and evaluation

 

Day 1: Wednesday 16th March 2022 09:30 - 11:30

The role of a curriculum leader

Curriculum intent and implementation

Supporting effective teaching and learning

Subject knowledge and supporting professional development

 

Day 2: Thursday 31st March 2022 13:30 - 15:30

The role of a curriculum leader

Curriculum implementation and impact

Assessment in RE

Effective monitoring and evaluation

Deep dives in RE

To book go to https://www.nyestraining.co.uk/Event/156894

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on SACRE members

Each term we want to introduce a different member of North Yorkshire SACRE and this term we will begin by introducing you to the Chair of North Yorkshire SACRE Helen Sellers.

I am a retired RE teacher, having taught secondary RE throughout the school. At A level, I specialised in the Philosophy of Religion. I also mentored PGCE students from Trinity College, Horsforth.

After that, I worked as an Associate Faith Tutor for Christianity with the Interfaith Education Centre in Bradford, working in a variety of schools across the city, mainly primary, and providing workshops for non-specialist teachers of RE and for PGCE students at Bradford College.

During that time, under a separate agreement, I also worked with an Islamic girls’ boarding school in Clayton, providing RE lessons for Year 8 girls and materials on Christianity for the teachers.

Subsequently, I worked with a Sikh supplementary school in the city centre, training their tutors in teaching GCSE Christianity and providing a series of all-age lessons, (10 - 16) which I taught initially, leaving them the resources to continue afterwards.

My interest in Religious Education is on-going as I have a grandson in a North Yorkshire primary school; and I still retain a professional interest.

It is also a personal interest: as a practising Christian, I value good understanding between people of all faiths and of none. I have experienced the effect of good RE in promoting this among students and parents and wish to help this continue, even though I am no longer in the classroom. My other interests include writing poetry, walking and music.

 

Why I am a member of SACRE

I am a member of SACRE because I believe SACRE has a privileged position in bringing expertise to the Local Authority and its schools with regard to the teaching of RE. The breadth of membership affords many insights, which can enhance this teaching and the learning experience of pupils of all ages. Working well together as members and officers we have a great responsibility to ensure the substance of the curriculum is fit for purpose in this often fractious society; and one which provides a stimulating learning experience for every pupil of whatever family background and developing belief and worldview. I hope to contribute to this in some way.

 

 

Holocaust Educational Trust – Programme for Teachers

This section provides details of the Holocaust Educational Trust's educational programmes for primary and secondary school teachers and trainees. Details of these programmes can be also be found at www.het.org.uk.

The Holocaust and the RE curriculum

Teaching about aspects of the Holocaust in RE lessons can help students explore:

·         The connections between beliefs – both religious and secular – and actions.

·         Moral dilemmas and choices, and the factors which can influence them.

·         Responses to ‘fundamental’ questions such as the nature and causes of suffering and ‘evil’, and – ultimately – what it means to be human.

·         The interaction, and sometimes conflict, between different faiths and/or belief systems. 

·         Individual and collective identity.

 

It can also support students in practising essential skills:

 Understanding and scrutiny of the beliefs of others.

·         Critical investigation of contrasting viewpoints, with an ability to reach reasoned judgements, and a willingness to challenge preconceptions.

·         Interpretation of a range of sources to be able to reach and justify independent opinions.

·         Effective communication of emotions and opinions.

·         Reflection on the nature and meaning of morality and on the importance of moral choices.

 

Teacher Training 

 The Holocaust Educational Trust offers free training for teachers at all stages of their careers. Details of our teacher training programme can be found at:

https://www.het.org.uk/education/teacher-training. 

 

RE teachers are invited to register for any of our upcoming online seminars and virtual teacher study visits, or to register their interest in our 2021-22 residential courses. These include our Exploring the Holocaust: UK Residential Course, our Teacher Study Visit to Vienna, and our Annual Teacher Training Course at Yad Vashem.

 

To register interest in a session or course, or to book a bespoke teacher training workshop, colleagues should email TeacherCPD@het.org.uk.

 

Teaching Programmes

 We provide free and downloadable teaching resources, which can be found at https://www.het.org.uk/teaching-resources and include resources for primary, secondary and post-16 students.

 

Details of our outreach programme, through which teachers can arrange for a Holocaust survivor to share their testimony with their students, can be found at https://www.het.org.uk/education/outreach-programme. Further information about our educational programmes for teachers can be found on the attached flyer. 

 

Islam CPD for Primary RE leads and Teachers

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Imran Kotwal from the Muslim Learner Services will be running the following Teaching and Learning CPD training sessions during the Autumn Term.

 

All sessions are delivered live remotely and video recordings are also available for all sessions. Dates and times of all the training courses can be found on the link at the bottom of this email.

 

CPD Courses:

 

·         Teaching and Learning about Islamic Artefacts / Special Objects for Muslims

·         What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today? Includes a section on Islamophobia / Radicalisation

·         Births, Weddings & Funerals in Islam.

·         The 5 Pillars of Islam (Belief, Prayer, Charity, Fasting & Pilgrimage)

·         NEW Course - The 6 Articles of Faith - Muslim beliefs about; Allah, Angels, Holy Books, Messengers, Life after death and Predestination

·         Teaching & Learning about the Qur'an

 

To book your place on a course - please click HERE or use this link https://zfrmz.com/HYTCIu4jPp7bhPuyQJf0

Muslim Learner Services

 

 

 

 

Inter Faith Week

14th -21st November 2021

 

The aims of the week are to:

This year Inter Faith Week starts on Remembrance Sunday and ends the following Sunday. The website contains a rich bank of resources for those wishing to hold events.
A new section has been created for schools. It contains bespoke materials for both Primary and Secondary schools that are designed to support the delivery of a locally agreed syllabus. There is also a Golden Rule poster on eleven different faith traditions, to download for display in a classroom or meeting room.

 

 

Muslim Council of Britain Visiting a Mosque resource

The “Visiting a Mosque: RE Teachers Resources” pack is intended to support and empower Religious Education (RE) Teachers in organising and delivering school visits to Places of Worship such as mosques.

Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, “in-person” visits to Places of Worship such as mosques were paused. As a result, signposting to “virtual” mosque tours has been included in this pack as an additional resource and to increase familiarity and confidence when organising in-person visits.   To find out more visit the website here: https://www.visitmymosque.org/for-re-teachers/

Cambridge in the Classroom

Experts from the faculty of divinity and the faculty of education have put together films answering some big questions of religion, philosophy and ethics. Whilst designed for use with secondary students aged 14-18 they are also useful for teacher subject knowledge. To find out more visit the website: https://www.divinity.cam.ac.uk/study-here/open-days/cambridge-your-classroom

Farmington Fellowships

Applications for the 2022/23 Farmington Scholarships are now open. These are Scholarships available to teachers of religious education and associated subjects in UK secondary, primary, and special needs schools. Head teachers who wish to undertake research into either religious education or values education are also eligible to apply.

 Scholarships cover the cost of tuition, essential local travel and, by negotiation with the school, the salary of a replacement teacher up to point 6 of the main pay scale. Scholarships last for a maximum of 30 days and can either be taken at a local university (we have links with 13 throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) or can be home-based with a local tutor.  Further information and an application form can be found on our website http://www.farmington.ac.uk/index.php/farmington-scholarships/