Decision details

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Education as advised by the professional adviser the for Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) with recommendations for the LA to adopt the syllabus following the Agreed Syllabus Conference November 2021.

(i)  To approve Living Difference IV for use in those schools who must follow it, and for it to be available to those who have autonomy to select their own syllabus to use.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Education to provide additional information for teachers regarding the “Golden Threads” through a briefing for all head teachers, RE leaders; additional information included within the launch for the syllabus and CPD for teachers over the coming five-year cycle of the syllabus.

1.  SACRE have voted unanimously to approve the document which is recommended to become the approved syllabus across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, with the caveat that additional information regarding golden thread concepts of Love, Special, Belonging and Community is provided.

2.  The other three SACREs (Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth) have not requested any additional information be added therefore it is recommended that the professional adviser to the SACRE ensures that appropriate additional information is provided to Southampton teachers through briefing communications with schools, CPD for RE leads and teachers delivering the syllabus in schools.

1.  Recommendation 2 is added to address a request by Southampton SACRE for the Local Authority to add an additional section providing more information about the “golden threads” into the syllabus. This request to amend the Syllabus by adding an additional section has been rejected due to sharing the syllabus with other Local Authorities who have already completed their processes. It would therefore not be cost or time effective when an alternative is available.

2.  The request to provide additional information can be met through the planned launch of the syllabus in 2022, and the CPD prior to the implementation of the syllabus in Spring and summer term 2022. Additional guidance can be issued to schools to ensure their understanding which will then be reviewed during SACRE monitoring visits to schools.