The Associate Adviser for Religious Education presented the report to Members, and in doing so, outlined the report detailing that one of the duties of SACRE was to monitor the provision of Acts of Collective Worship in schools within the local authority. 

Members heard how Thurrock SACRE had reviewed the policies of a number of schools in the summer term meeting 2019 and reported to schools on their findings. The report proposed that SACRE reviewed a second sample of policies on Acts of Collective Worship that appeared on school websites to determine if anything had changed in the last year and to identify good practice. The Associate Adviser for Religious Education commented that Collective Worship was a difficult topic as it was not a requirement of the relevant legislation.

It was raised as to the right of withdrawing children from participating in Religious Education and Collective Worship in schools. SACRE heard how the legislation stated that all registered pupils in state-funded schools should take part in a daily act of collective worship unless wholly or partly withdrawn by parents. The term ‘registered pupils’ included students up to and including the age of eighteen years in a school, sixth form or at a sixth form college but not pupils in nursery schools or classes.

The Teachers Representatives on SACRE commented they had not experienced children being withdrawn from Religious Education at either of their secondary schools. Both advised that students held assembles on different faiths as well as other topics, and all students from year 7 to year 11 were involved.

During discussions it was identified that should a child be withdrawn from Collective Worship and Religious Education then there was a policy in place in Thurrock to monitor such decisions.

It was queried by Councillor Collins as to what clear acts of worship were, for example he commented teaching children to be good citizens and British values.

Mr Ojetola left at 6.55pm

The Associate Adviser for Religious Education was thanked for her report, Members commented the lists drawn up from the previous meeting at the end of 2019 were helpful when comparing with the schools policies.

It was further commented that it was felt there was no need to amend the current list as it expressed what Members of SACRE looking for.

Members went on to discuss the language to explain Collective Worship within school policies and it was felt that sometimes this was confusing for parents, phrases such as ‘Let us pray’ we're connected to the Christian faith. The Associate Adviser for Religious Education explained that the definition of Collective Worship hadn't been changed or amended since the 1944 Act.

It was queried as to whether it was possible to create a policy template with clearer language to make it easier for parents to understand when looking on schools websites.

The Strategic Lead for School Effectiveness and SEND referred to the question on British Values, and in doing so, explained that British values were be taught within schools; however these were taught within different subjects other than Religious Education such as PSHE. She further stated that Collective Worship within Schools would be covered in other curriculum areas such as year or group assemblies.

The Teacher Representatives stated that teaching British values went hand-in-hand with Collective Worship. All of the teachers agreed that they were at the core of the curriculum. It was further stated that British values were within all faiths such as Sikhism, with children being taught to be kind and honest. The Teacher Representatives further agreed with the point made by the Strategic Lead for School Effectiveness and SEND in that these were also at the core of school assemblies

The Associate Adviser for Religious Education replied to the suggestion of having a template for SACRE to produce to schools, in that although this was a good idea in principal, schools were not required to have a policy on Collect Worship.  However if SACRE wished the Associate Adviser for Religious Education was happy to write to the schools and share their lists with them, which they could use to create their own policy amend their policy if they wished.

The Chair of the Committee stated that all schools were different when it came to teaching Collective Worship for example Faith schools such as Catholic or Church of England schools within the borough would aim their teachings toward their faiths.

Stella Lawson left the committee at 7 PM.

RESOLVED that SACRE:

Consider a sample of policies from Thurrock schools to determine how Collective Worship is offered in local schools in the light of the legal requirements set out in section 3 below.

A.   Harris Academy Ockendon

B.   Grays Convent

C.   Kenningtons Primary

D.   Bulham Primary

The policies reviewed in 2019 were as follows:

1.    Harris Academies – new policy attached (Harris Ockendon 2019)

2.    Bonneygate – 2015 policy on the website

3.    Horndon on the Hill – due for review November 2020

4.    Kenningtons Dec 2016 policy on website

5.    St Clere’s Sept 2018 policy on website

Exclusion of the Public and Press

Members of SACRE agreed that, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.