INTER FAITH WEEK 2012, DAY 5: HIGHCROSS EXHIBITION

Emma Craig-West, Gurbz, Sheri Paige

Fourth day of our week-long exhibition in Highcross for Inter Faith Week.

First volunteers on the display this morning are Emma Craig-West, one of my longest-standing and supportive friends from the earliest days of Creative Coffee Club onwards (on the left in the photo above) and Sheri Paige, Vice President, Student Welfare at De Montfort University Student Union (on the right). Standing between them is a visitor to the exhibition this morning - Gurbz (AKA Mistah G). He and his sister, Anita Kang, will be holding a fashion show charity event in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, in July 2013. I chat with Gurbz about their proposed fundraiser, and about how things went down at Choice Unlimited II in the Tigers Stadium at Welford Road yesterday.

It's a busy morning, especially around the little white tree. Emma's good at drawing people in and encouraging them to write their dreams, hopes, prayers and wishes on the labels. In the photo above, she's with boys from the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.

John Florance, from BBC Radio Leicester, arrives around 1100 to do a feature about the exhibition. He records a few minutes with me and with Sheri (photo below). Emma has conveniently gone off to the Post Office. John asks me for a quote about the Church of England Synod's vote on women bishops. After stalling him for a while in the hope that Emma (a church-going Anglican) will come back in time to say something interesting on the subject but it falls to me after all. When I tell John that there are eight different religions represented on the display, and that for seven of them (and for a lot of the Christians too) the vote on women bishops isn't of much importance, he switches off his microphone and asks if I could say something a little more interesting that he can use in a segment that he'll be doing at noon on the topic with Barbara Butler and Stephen Foster live in the studio. So I tell him that, as a discerning consumer of social media, I've found the blogs and tweets about the subject over the past day or so very interesting. When he asks me to pick out the most interesting, I reference Ruth Gledhill and Giles Fraser on Twitter, with brief mention of what they said.

Sheri Paige, John Florance

I'm not on the rota for this morning and came down so I could be here when John turned up. While I'm happy for him to record stuff with the volunteers, but it wouldn't be right to leave them alone to do a radio interview. Neither am I on the rota for the 1200-1400 slot, but one of the volunteers has cancelled, so I stay on to provide cover.

Dr Angela Jagger, member of the Board of Directors and former Secretary of Leicester Council of Faiths is on duty here for the next couple of hours. Angela was my tutor on an Open University Course that I took way back in 1992, "The Religious Quest". Next time I met her, some 15 years later, she was a member of the interview panel for this current post.

Sherry Fulloway, Angela Jagger (and John Coster)

Angela is on the right in the photo above, along with Sherry Fulloway, whom I know from the Christians Aware Monday evening courses at Christchurch, Clarendon Park (and John Coster, Editor of Citizens' Eye Community New Agency lurking in the background).

Angela is on the right in the photo above, along with Cherry Fulloway, whom I know from the Christians Aware Monday evening courses at Christchurch, Clarendon Park (and John Coster, Editor of Citizens' Eye Community New Agency lurking in the background).

Malika Kraamer (who curated the marvellous Suits and Saris exhibition at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery earlier this year) and Kate Dawe (from Victim Support) are volunteering on the exhibition from 1400 till 1600. Kate has brought some leaflets about Hate Crime which we put out on the table.

Ruth Fraser, Noel Singh

Kate and Malika hand over to Ruth Fraser of Leicester Quakers (whom I first met on the recent Walking Pilgrimage round Clarendon Park) and Noel Singh, Policy and Partnerships Manager at at Leicestershire County Council (photo above) at 1600. I pay a flying visit to the exhibition on the way to a meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) at Mayflower Primary.

When I return from SACRE, Bev Farrand and Angela Lynn Hunt (from Leicester Cathedral) are on the final shift. They might have been talking about the women bishops vote; but then again ...

Beverley Farrand, Angela Lynn Hunt

Here are some of the messages that visitors and volunteers have hung on the tree today:

I would like my daughter to grow up as a Christian. I would also like my family to succeed in most things

All faiths please get together

Doesn't matter if you're black or white, just smile

Society to work together in peace and harmony - one LeicesterI pray for peace and good health to all people

We teach our children that we are the same on the inside. When the world remembers this lesson, wars will finally end and we will find peace.

Hope my son has a good safe future

Wish peace and prosperity in our family

Happy Christmas from PJEA young boys

I wish health, wealth and peace for my family and the world

SACRE AT MAYFLOWER PRIMARY

At Mayflower Primary, Evington Drive, this afternoon for the regular scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

We hear an appeal for determination by the school presented by head teacher Glyn Millinship, consider our draft annual report and return to our development plan.

Under AOB, Anna Kastoryano, Head of Religious Studies at City of Leicester College, asks for volunteers to attend an inter faith lunch at her school a weeke today. Several hands go up, ensuring Hindu, Muslim and Sikh representation. I'll be going to that.

SUDDENLY, I'M NOT HALF THE MAN I USED TO BE

After more than five years working for Leicester Council of Faiths in a full-time capacity, my job goes part time from today. I'll be contracted to work 20 hours per week, based at the Welcome Centre (our HQ in Pilgrim House, Bishop Street, Town Hall Squarte) on Tuesdays (1330-1730), Wednesdays (0900-1730) and Thursdays (0900-1730). These contracted hours can be worked flexitime on other days, at other times or at other venues in pursuit of these tasks and duties, but they should not exceed 80 hours in a four-week period.

This is the only way to sustain the post in this period when our funding (like so many other VCS organisations) has flatlined. As it is, we have no guarantee of any funding at all beyond the end of 2012. What can I say? We hope for the best but plan for the worst.

This present position is the result of lengthy, detailed and rigorous consultation with the Board of Leicester Council of Faiths and particularly with my Line Manager, Tony Nelson. I'm grateful to everyone who has taken part in the consultations that have brought us to this state.

Below is a description of my duties in the new post. If you've been paying attention, faithful reader (and I trust that you have) you'll see that they're not all that different from my duties in the old one; but for the moment I'll have to do less of them and get paid less for doing so. This is a general outline of course, the specific ways in which these tasks and duties are met are largely up to me, in agreement with my Line Manager, the Personnel Management Group (consisting of three current members of the Board of Directors) and above them, the Board itself.

Apologies to Sir Paul McCartney for the title of this blog entry.

LEICESTER COUNCIL OF FAITHS: EQUALITY & DIVERSITY OFFICER

1. Promote accurate knowledge of the diverse communities of religion or belief in Leicester and environs. 

2. Help members of Leicester Council of Faiths (communities and individuals) to consult and co-operate on matters of common concern. 

3. Strengthen links between Leicester Council of Faiths and relevant service providers and VCS organisations in Leicester and environs. 

4. Bring together members of the diverse communities of religion or belief in Leicester and environs to participate in relevant activities. 

5. Contribute fully to SACRE by participating in its meetings and assisting with relevant tasks outside meetings. 

6. Organise and assist members of Leicester Council of Faiths (communities and individuals) to participate in inter-faith activities for the benefit of the people of Leicester and environs. 

7. Collaborate with Leicester City Council to ensure that the views of the city’s communities of religion or belief may be taken into account in the planning, delivery and monitoring of services and that City Council’s policies, practices and procedures reduce discrimination. 

8. Seek appropriate funding to sustain this post and obtain income for Leicester Council of Faiths.

SACRE AT ST MARTINS HOUSE

At St Martins House, Peacock Lane, this afternoon for the regular scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education). This is the first meeting since Jill Carr, who was Secretary of SACRE, left Leicester City Council to take up her appointment as Head of RE at Leicester Grammar School. Her role is being filled by Fiona Moss (of RE Today Services) at least until Christmas this year and probably beyond. Fiona was doing this role with SACRE when I first became involved, so seeing her back here feels like having come full circle. We worked together on the early drafts of Engaging with Faith Communities in Leicester.

I'm able to flag up the forthcoming Philosophy Panel I've been asked to convene for St Paul's Catholic School next month. A handful of people at this meeting volunteer their services. Catholic schools, of course, exist outside of SACRE's sphere of influence. I thought that of some members of Leicester SACRE could take part in the event at St Paul's, then that would provide a nice crossover experience.

As I do at the end of all my blog posts referring to St Martins House, I refer any reader wondering about the omission of the possessive apostrophe from the building's name to a letter from Rev. Peter Hobson, Director of St Martins House, published in the Leicester Mercury, 29 March 2011.

SACRE AT SOAR VALLEY COLLEGE

At Soar Valley College, Gleneagles Avenue, this afternoon for the regular scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

We hear Sandfield Close Primary School's petition for determination, presented by Head Teacher Amanda Dhillon.

We have the third presentation in our ongoing series, Faith Focus, in which one of the members of SACRE is given the opportunity to introduce the group to their religion or belief. Today it’s a presentation on Humanism by Allan Hayes.

We’re brought up to speed with the latest developments in our series of electronic booklets of guidance for schools staff, Engaging with Leicester’s Faith Communities.

We’re presented with the SACRE Annual Report and with the SACRE development plan, January 2011 – January 2013. This plan describes the following five key priorities:

1. To monitor the impact of the Leicester Agreed Syllabus on raising standards of RE in schools
2. To raise the profile of SACRE and the positive contribution it can make to community cohesion
3. To support the work of the Youth SACRE
4. To provide guidance and support for schools of effective provision for Collective Worship and support for determinations
5. To develop links between Leicester SACRE and schools as well as local / national bodies

MINDFULNESS & WISDOM 2: WISDOM & SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE

At Christchurch, Clarendon Park, for the second session in the course, "Mindfulness & Wisdom", offered by Christians Aware as part of their Faith Awareness programme. The eight-week course has been devised by Ian Grayling and Kevin Commons from the Leicester Serene Reflection Meditation Group.

Our topic this evening: Wisdom and "Spiritual Intelligence".

The direction is set by the question, “Is ‘wisdom’, by its nature, ‘intelligence’?” To help us consider this question, Ian introduces us to Howard Gardner's concept of Multiple Intelligence (1999), different types of intelligence, going beyond that which is identified in standard IQ tests. These different kinds of intelligence are illustrated in the picture at the top of this entry and are (reading clockwise in the illustration):

• verbal-linguistic ("word smart") the capacity to use language to express what's on your mind and to understand other people
• logical-mathematical ("logic smart") the ability to understand the underlying principles of some kind of causal system
• musical ("music smart") the capacity to think in music, to hear patterns, recognise them and perhaps manipulate them
• intra-personal (“self smart”) having an understanding of yourself, of knowing who you are, what you can do etc
• inter-personal (“people smart”) the ability to understand other people
• bodily-kinaesthetic (“body smart”) capacity to use your whole, or parts of your, body
• spatial (“picture smart”) the ability to present the spatial world internally in your mind

Other versions of this illustration contain "naturalistic" (nature smart) and "existentialist" intelligence. We didn't touch on these in this evening's session. 

In discussing the meaning of "spirit" - in a way that avoids fuzzy religiosity or new-agey feelgood practices - we go to the Latin root of the word: spiritus - that which breathes life or vitality into a system.

This brings to mind one of my favourite quotes on spirit and spirituality, from Robert Wyatt: "A French journalist asked if my music was spiritual, and I said, 'Only in the original sense of spirit meaning breath'."

I also think of the example that has stood me in good stead over recent years, that of people being happy to describe themselves as "spiritual, but not religious" in a variety of settings (I usually draw on the example of Internet dating sites) without really saying just what that means – except that it’s a good thing.

Zohar and Marshall (2003) define "spiritual intelligence" as "the intelligence with which we can place our actions and lives in a wider, richer, meaning-giving context; the intelligence with which we can assess that one course of action or one life-path is more meaningful than another." In this sense, when we think of "spirit", it directs us to a deeper level of meaning, toward the import or implications of what is said, thought, written or read. We talk of the "spirit of the law" being something greater, more significant and more meaningful than the "letter of the law" – even if it escapes definition.

In terms of education, it’s current to consider the spiritual, moral, social, cultural implication for everything that pupils, students and learners may be studying (at the most recent meeting of Leicester SACRE, we had a presentation on how SMSC is making a comeback in the curriculum).

The table below helps us understand Zohar and Marshall's concept of "spiritual capital" - and where it fits with the nature and function of other kinds of capital.

INTELLIGENCE	FUNCTION	CAPITAL
Rational	What I think	Material
Emotional	What I feel	Social
Spiritual	What I am	Spiritual

We're set a small group exercise of coming up with three nuggets of wisdom that we'd give to the world, based on Zohar and Marshall's model. For my part, I'd say that the world currently revolves around "What I want", "What I own" and "What I need" - and would advocate replacing these functions with those identified in the table above.

For once, we're given a little homework. We're asked to reflect on our own fiath perspective (assuming we each have one) - historically, contemporary, potentially - and think of examples of spiritual intelligence (or of spiritual stupidity!).

SACRE AT BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

At BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Gipsy Lane, this afternoon for the regular scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

I'm asked to remove my shoes as soon as I step inside the building. I confess to feeling suddenly despondent at this point, as I can't bear my feet being cold and it’s bloomin’ freezing today and I’ve walked almost an hour to get here. But - miracle of miracles - the temple has heating beneath the marble floor tiles!

For half an hour before the meeting, SACRE members are given a guided tour of the Mandir. Sadly for me, I’m late and miss this part.

In the meeting, we have the second presentation in our ongoing series, Faith Focus, in which one of the members of SACRE is given the opportunity to introduce the group to their religion or belief. Today, appropriately enough, it’s a presentation on Hinduism by Hiten Bhatt, with particular emphasis on the BAPS Swainarayan tradition.

Extracts from two DVDs produced by Leicester Youth SACRE ar shown. The first of these DVDs was filmed at the conference, Challenging RE, on Friday 4 November at Holy Trinity Church. The second, a more purely promotional DVD, in which Youth SACRE members express what they’ve gained out of being involved and in which small groups of members discuss various topics (e.g. identity and belonging; peace and conflict; Wills and Kate’s royal wedding; the killing of Osama Bin Laden; religious stereotypes; prayer; and arranged marriages).

Jill Carr (SACRE’s Secretary) makes a presentation on the place of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education (SMSC) in the new Ofsted framework (and its implications for schools).

In the past year there were anxieties about the position of RE. However, the new Ofsted framework was introduced in September and there is more emphasis on the inspection of SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural education) and less on community cohesion. 

Inspections will judge how well the school promotes SMSC development of pupils. What matters most is how well schools ensure high standards of achievement, learning and behaviour for their pupils, as well as contributing to their SMSC development and take account for it. All schools should be promoting pupils SMSC development and preparing pupils for life.

“In the present inspection framework, SMSC development is regarded as an outcome for pupils, which is often aligned with judgements about pupils’ behaviour and the extent to which they contribute to the school and wider community.” The new framework proposes “to shift the focus so that consideration of how well the school promotes pupils’ SMSC development forms part of the judgement on overall effectiveness. Evidence to support this will be gathered from consideration of the quality of teaching, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, achievement, and leadership and management.”

RE, art and music are some examples of subjects that promote aspects of SMSC provision. However, discussion with pupils and staff will provide an important insight as to how SMSC is planned as part of the curriculum in other subjects. Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life and their interest in and respect for different people’s feelings and values.

Jill explained how school can promote each individual aspect of SMSC development. Overall, it was good news for RE. Pupils' attitudes have changed towards RE they enjoy doing it and GCSE numbers have increased year on year. On this evidence, then, we may concluded that the RE community is stronger than ever!

Draft copies of SACRE’s annual report were distributed (an electronic version was circulated in advance of this meeting). Jill Carr summarised key points:

Standards and Quality of provision of RE:

• One RE subject inspection this year
• 27 Section 5 inspections fewer than last year
• Fewer schools achieving higher grades for SMSC and Community Cohesion
• In Leicester number taking full course remained static
• Exam results improved A* and A brackets went up considerably

Quality Learning, teaching, leadership and Management:

• Some training offered
• Recruitment of staff is good
• Head teachers in primary schools keen to promote RE / SMSC

The effectiveness of the locally Agreed Syllabus:

• Embraced by schools
• Raising standards of RE in the classroom
• Adopted by Diocese and Blackburn with Darwen Education Authority
• Around 30 Agreed Syllabuses have been sold
• It will be amended in two years – runs for five years

Collective Worship

• SACRE has contributed to Collective Worship in schools
• There have been five new determinations
• New certificate in place
• In future, more SACRE input

Management of SACRE

• Generally well attended meetings in different settings
• Vacancies in groups B and D

Leicester Youth SACRE

• Continue to be difficulties in meetings
• DVD completed
• Strategies needed to consolidate membership and meeting times

SACRE & Community Cohesion

• Engaging with Faith Communitiess booklet
• Interfaith initiatives
• School outreach
• Sacred Spaces

Development Plan

• Clear priorities for this year 2011-2012
• To develop links between Leicester SACRE and schools
• To raise the profile of SACRE
• To support the work of Leicester Youth SACRE

See a slideshow of images of Leicester's BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir here.

SACRE AT EVINGTON VALLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL

At Evington Valley Primary School, Evington Valley Road, this afternoon for the scheduled meeting of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education).

Today we have a new feature of these regular meetings, in which members will take a quarter of an hour or so to present some basic information about their religion or belief for the benefit of the rest of the members. For a kick-off, Anne Fishenden, Vice Chair of SACRE, gives an introduction to Quaker history, beliefs and practices.

The main part of today's meeting is given over to hearing the request for a determination by our host today, Evington Valley Primary School.

I'm also able to get a few minutes at the end of the meeting to speak a little about Inter Faith Week.

INTER FAITH WEEK 2011, DAY 3: HIGHCROSS EXHIBITION

Third day of our week-long exhibition in Highcross to celebrate Inter Faith Week, showcasing the eight communities represented on Leicester Council of Faiths.

I call in at the Welcome Centre first thing and write out invitations to visit the exhibition for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Assistant Mayors I hand them in at Town Hall for distribution through the City Council's internal mail service.

Ben Jackson of BBC Radio Leicester pays an unannounced visit to the display this morning, where he records interviews with Anne Fishenden, local Quaker and Vice Chair of Leicester SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education), Amy Marsh (of the student team from University of Leicester, School of Archaeology and Ancient History which created the Faith Trail) and me. This is for a segment of Ben's breakfast show that will be broadcast on Friday morning.

Bharat Patel, of Pukaar News, contacts me by phone, to ask if he and a camera crew can visit the stall tomorrow to film an interview with our Chair, Cllr Manjula Sood, and our Vice Chair, Fayyaz Suleman. To make sure that all goes well, I immediately seek written permission for this from Highcross management - which I promptly receive, glad to say.

In the afternoon, we receive a brief visit from City Councillors Sundip Meghani and Barbara Potter. Sundip has encountered the Council of Faiths on more than one occasion, but I've never met Barbara before. Sundip sends out a supportive tweet to his 1,423 followers:

Just visited the excellent Leicester @counciloffaiths Inter Faith Week exhibition at the Highcross shopping centre. Well worth a visit!

Follow Councillor Sundip Meghani on Twitter: @Sundip

Final volunteers on the stall this evening are Yasmin Surti and Deirdre O'Sullivan (in photo above). This reflective log entry was made by one of them (I'm not saying which one, but she's not sitting on the right):

"Another cold and dark evening lightened by George's 'sense of humour' - looking forward to the next round."

I like how "sense of humour" is in "inverted commas". I find that very "reassuring" - wouldn't you, "faithful reader"?

CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: YOUTH SACRE CONFERENCE

At Holy Trinity Church, Regent Road, for "Challenging RE": a Religious Education conference for gifted and more able RE students, years 8-11. There are pupils and students from eleven city schools here today:

• Babbington Community College
• City of Leicester College
• Fullhurst Community College
• Leicester High School
• Madani High School
• Moat Community College
• New College
• Rushey Mead School
• Samworth Enterprise Academy
• Sir Jonathan North Community College
• Soar Valley College

Teachers from Hamilton Community College and Judgemeadow Community College are leading workshops today, though no students from either of those schools are attending the conference.

After the words of welcome from Jill Car (RE Consultant for Leicester City Council) and the introductory talk by Fiona Moss (Consultant for RE Today Services), attendees get to choose from a variety of seminars and workshops:

Visual RE: Breathe Breathe is a resource for exploring the themes of belief, journey and values. It is a large mat with 12 interactive and reflective activities. It is an imaginative way of asking some of life's big questions. (That's a photo of Breathe above.)

Ethical RE: Right and wrong? A multifaith perspective Examining the theme of good and evil and if religion can make a difference to life here in Leicester both now and in the future.

Reflective RE: A Buddhist perspective What does Buddhism teach about how should live our lives? Could we find inner peace by following the precepts of Buddhism?

Controversial RE: Early life issues, a multifaith perspective The Youth SACRE invites you to investigate arguments for and against abortion from a multifaith perspective? Whose life is it anyway?

Controversial RE: A Jewish perspective Wrestle with topical, ethical issues such as euthanasia, racism, genetic engineering and the Holocaust standing in the shoes of the Jewish community.

Enquiring RE: Persecuted for your faith? A Christian perspective Would you be prepared to die for what you believe in? Some Christians around the world are doing exactly that! True, harrowing stories from around the world.

Active RE: Euthanasia. A Hindu and Christian perspective Take part in an active workshop that uses drama, roleplay and reflection to allow you to truly understand the debate that surrounds this controversial issue!

Creative RE: A Sikh and Christian perspective on poverty RE invites you to reflect on all sorts of issues ... be challenged transfer your ideas and images onto glass and take away a reminder of the day.

Enquiring RE: using P4C (Philosophy for Children) to explore a topical RE issue Thinking aloud about RE: What do you really think about some of the "Big Issues" in contemporary society? Does religion help or hinder our thinking about such issues? Come along to ask some questions and think about some "answers" for yourself.

Extreme RE: Contentious issues from a multifaith perspective The death penalty? Homosexuality Islamophobia? Tackling some of today's taboos interactively.

Exciting RE: Religious Education and Community Cohesion Did the summer riots show that we are unable to work as a cohesive society? Are there lessons to be drawn from religion?

Creative RE: Green issues from a Humanist and Muslim perspective Live in this world as if you were going to live forever! How do the ethics of Humanism and Islam help us to preserve the planet? A creative workshop.

After lunch, I take part in a panel with six others:

• Kartar Singh (Sikh)
• Dave Smith (Christian, Youth Worker, Holy Trinity church)
• Sheila Markham (Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation)
• Kishan Devani (Hindu: Swaminarayan School, Brent)
• Allan Hayes (Leicester Secular Society)
• Selma Ravat (Muslim)

A Buddhist was invited and accepted the invitation, but hasn't shown up.

The panel is introduced and chaired by Jill Carr (Secretary of SACRE), who pulls from a bag a number of questions submitted in writing by attendees.

1. "Why do Protestants and Catholics hate each other even though they believe in creation and in the same God?" Jill gave this question to Dave and Sheila (although I, with my background of having grown up in the blue half of Glasgow in the 1960s and 70s, couldn't help but wade in!)
2. "What makes you believe that God exists?" Jill gave this question to Selma and Allan (so the latter could tackle the question from the opposite end).
3. "What exactly is the Bahá'í Faith and who are Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá?" Jill gave this one to me - surprise, surprise - though I'd have liked to hear another member of the panel to try it on for size before I answered it. I can't help but think that Jill slipped this one in just for my benefit.
4. "From a Hindu perspective, if we have souls and go through the cycle of samsara - who are we? And when we die, will we know who we have been?" Jill gave this one to Kishan.
5. "Can God help with life?" Jill gave this one to Dave and Kishan.
6. "What do you find difficult about your faith?" Jill gave this one to Selma and Sheila.
7. "Is it right to abort a child if it has disabilities?" Jill gave this one to Allan and Kishan.
8. ""Why do Muslims agree with Halal meat which is not the most humane way of treating an animal, when the Qur’án teaches that animals should be treated with kindness? Jill gave this one to Selma and Sheila (and Kartar chips in).
9. "Is Jesus watching us?" Jill gives this one to Dave.

After these written questions, Jill opens the floor so that pupils and students can ask questions of the panellists directly.

• To Kishan: "What do you class as 'the soul'?"
• To Selma: "With Muslims teenagers and young adults, do you think it's hard for them to follow some of the rules, such as not having a boyfriend or girlfriend and not drinking alcohol?"
• To Dave: "If Christians believe that God is omnipotent, how come there's so much suffering in the world?"
• To Kishan: "You say that in Hinduism, all animals have atman. If that's true, why can't animals think and reason, like humans?"

The day ends with a rousing performance by a choir, put together on the day.

EQUALITY ACT 2010: ITS IMPACT ON SCHOOLS

Going through the papers for the last meeting of SACRE, I come upon this handout on the Equality Act 2010 and its impact on schools. I thought it would be interesting to post it on the blog in its own right, rather than risk it being buried in a report on the last SACRE meeting.

I also thought that this would make a good primer for the Equality Act 201o, for any readers who haven’t got the drop on it for themselves yet. The Act is such an important recurring feature of this blog and having a refresher every so often can’t do any harm.

What is the Equality Act 2010?

The Equality Act 2010 is a new law which protects people from discrimination. It replaces all previous, separate equality laws including the Disability Discrimination Act, Race Relations Act and many others.

Why change?

Having one law on Equality helps people to better understand their and other people’s rights and how they should expect to be treated.

The Equality Act 2010

The main provisions of the Equality Act 2010 came into force in October 2010.

The Act details the general duties and sets out a public sector Single Equality Duty due to be implemented in April 2011. The Equality Act 2010 extends protection to all of the following equality areas, now known as “Protected Characteristics”:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sexual orientation
• Sex (previously referred to as Gender)

General duties of the Equality Act

Due regard must be given to the need to:

Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation;

Advance equality of opportunity between different groups; and

Foster good relations between different groups.

What will this mean for schools?

The main change for schools is the addition of Religion or Belief and Sexual Orientation and (to a lesser degree) pregnancy and maternity, gender identity and age. When the Specific duties (autumn 2011 for schools) schools will have to set equality objectives detailing what they will do to address the persistent causes of inequality. Schools will be required to demonstrate:

• Proactive approaches in identifying, addressing and eliminating discrimination;
• Promoting equality of opportunity and good relations between people from different equality groups are being sought.

Benefits

A single equality scheme produced with the involvement of the whole school community can support the school to identify and address barriers by equality characteristics giving the school the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate that the school has a good understanding of how discrimination can affect outcomes for different groups and that it has a proactive approach to addressing this;
• Engage meaningfully with the school community therein enabling a better understanding of the barriers that exist and how to address these;
• Enhance the everyday experience of the school community as parents, pupils and staff feel that they are able to contribute to and inform school policy and decision making and as a result feel more confident and foster a higher degree of trust with the leadership within the school
• Raise attainment and aspirations of pupils so that they feel more confident about their own identities and that of others, understanding and valuing difference and recognising  the benefits to society, safe in the knowledge that the school is dedicated to eradicating discrimination and has a clear plan for doing so;
• Be regarded by the wider community as a school which is clearly committed to embracing diversity and promoting equality.

Faiths

In Leicester there are approximately 240 faith groups across 14 different faiths. There are 123 places of Christian worship, 29 mosques, 23 Hindu temples, 10 Sikh Gurdwara, 2 Jewish synagogues and 1 Jain temple. Over recent years the Muslim population has significantly increased. It is estimated that about 80% to 90% of Muslim pupils attend madrassas after school.

Community cohesion

Leicester has a reputation for welcoming and celebrating diversity

The residents of Leicester recognise that the city is both multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-faith

The major location of cross-cultural mixing in Leicester is local shops, followed by places of work

“Promoting Equality is the whole school’s responsibility”

• Governors
• Head teachers
• Teaching staff
• Non-teaching staff
• Parents
• Pupils
• Local community members 

Schools action

Schools will be asked how they capture the views and perceptions of the school community. They will be advised to list all school-related events and meetings (e.g. sports days, celebrations like Christmas or Diwali or Eid, governors’ meetings, parents’ evenings, after school activities). By supporting schools you will offer the opportunity to support schools in fulfilling their statutory duty regarding religion and belief.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP IN LEICESTER SCHOOLS: STATEMENT FROM SACRE

The Leicester City SACRE and Leicester City RE Consultant recognise that part of their role is to provide guidance and support for schools of effective provision for Collective Worship and support for determinations following the requirements set out in 1944 (and amended in 1988). Daily collective worship is a duty on schools and our council’s view would always be to meet the legal requirements.

The requirements for collective worship as a school activity are both different and distinct from the requirements regarding RE in the curriculum.

The Leicester SACRE is aware that the requirements for collective worship are not now being followed in all our schools, especially secondary schools, for a variety of reasons, including lack of suitable spaces and/or leaders for collective worship. Many of our secondary schools hold weekly collective worship and on the other days have a “Thought for the Day” with an opportunity for short, quiet time of reflection. This has been reported regularly by Ofsted over the years. However, this does not mean that schools have not provided opportunities for the spiritual and moral development of young people, many good examples of which Ofsted have also reported in the past year:

“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Pupils make excellent contributions to the school and wider community, for example taking responsibility for helping teachers to identify in assemblies those pupils who demonstrate good listening skills.” (Abbey Primary school)

At Sparkenhoe Junior school the effective development of spirituality was commended:

“There is a suitably strong emphasis on developing pupils’ personal, social, emotional and moral development which results in Year 6 pupils being thoughtful, mature and responsible young people whose spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding is excellent.”

Judgemeadow Community College was praised to the excellent spiritual development which was integrated into every subject:

“Students; spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. There are very good opportunities for students to develop their creativity, celebrate their cultural heritage and broaden their cultural experience through contact with artists, musicians and writers.”

The SACRE has only one statutory duty with regard to collective worship. It is to grant a determination to a community school where it is felt collective worship of “a broadly Christian character” is not appropriate for all or some pupils. The application comes from the head teacher after proper consultation with staff, governors and parents. It must be accompanied by alternative plans for collective worship. Currently 21 primary schools and 4 secondary schools hold determinations in Leicester City.

Leicester City determinations: Primary schools

• Abbey Primary School
• Bridge Junior
• Charnwood Primary School
• Catherine Infant
• Coleman Primary School
• Evington Valley Primary School
• Green Lane Infants
• Herrick Primary School
• Highfields primary School
• King Richard III Infant School
• Linden Primary School
• Mayflower primary School
• Medway Primary School
• Rusheymead Primary School
• Sandfield Primary School
• Shenton Primary School
• Sparkenhoe Primary School
• Spinney Hill Primary School
• Uplands Infants
• Uplands Junior School
• Wyvern Primary School

Leicester City determinations: Secondary schools

• Crown Hills Community College
• Judgemeadow community College
• Rusheymead School
• Moat Community College