The North East has many Religious Education Advisers and Consultants available to help and assist with the provision and development of good quality religious learning. The following is a list of those advisers, consultants and Standing Advisery Councils (SACRE's) that currently work in partnership and collaboration with the North East Religious Learning Resources Centre. If you would like to explore the services that these individuals and organisations offer please contact them directly.
The Durham Diocesan Board of Education is a statutory body, exercising responsibility on behalf of Durham diocese for its fifty-five church schools. In this capacity it liases with all seven Local Education Authorities between the Tyne and the Tees. It also has Advisers to support Children, Youth and Family Life work in parishes and is the base for the diocesan Child Protection Officer. Its staff all work full or part-time from Carter House, Durham.
Secretary: The Director of Education
Carter House
Pelaw Leazes Lane
Durham
DH1 1TB
Tel: (0191) 374 6000
Fax: (0191) 384 7529
e-mail: Director of Education
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Led by teacher, trainer, lecturer and educational consultant Phil Andre, Equalities Ink specialises in supporting anyone seeking to improve their knowledge and understanding about our increasingly diverse society through quality training, use of original resources produced by Equalities Ink itself, and direct encounters with groups and communities reflecting something of that diversity within the Northern Region. Day-long trips to Newcastle and Bradford are specialities that allow delegates to deepen their understanding of our multifaith, multiethnic and multicultural society in a particularly enlightening and enjoyable manner.
1 Burleigh Place
Darlington
DL3 7SR
Tel: 01325 251 130
e-mail: Phil Andre
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Each Church of England diocese is required by law (under the Diocesan Education Board Measure) to set up a Board of Education whose function is to look after the interests of its church schools. Diocesan Boards of Education work with head teachers, governors, Local Education Authorities and the Department for Education and Skills to uphold and enrich the distinctive contribution of church schools to the state education system.
The Newcastle Diocesan Education Board at present has three full-time staff, supplemented by additional consultant and volunteer support. The work of the staff, volunteers and Board members covers a wide range of areas: representing the diocese on a variety of committees and statutory bodies; liaising with LEA and other officers; supporting schools by providing help and in-service training on a wide range of issues including RE and school worship and by supporting and training governors. The Board aims to facilitate the working together of governors, teachers, parents, church and other partners to ensure that the quality of education offered to the children in our church schools.
Secretary: The Director of Education
Church House
St John's Terrace
Percy Main
North Shields
NE29 6HS
Tel: (0191) 270 4100
Fax: (0191) 270 4101
e-mail: Church House
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Hexham and Newcastle Education Service has been established to support those involved in education; to address current and future needs and faithfully express and promote the Church’s pastoral mission in education. The Service works collaboratively and in active consultation both with those who are involved professionally and those whose contribution is a voluntary commitment to the Church’s work.
The Education Service assists the Bishop in determining Diocesan Education Policy and supports schools and Parishes in its implementation, addressing current and future needs and reflecting the Pastoral Mission of the Church in education.
The Service provides a range of courses, materials and support for governors, senior leaders, teachers, and parishioners. This includes long courses, such as the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) and training for current and potential leaders, in addition to Parish courses such as the Diploma in Pastoral Theology and the network of catechists.
The service liaises with and consults the Department of Education and Skills, Local Authorities, Catholic Education Service (CES) and other external groups to protect, manage and promote Catholic education throughout the Diocese.
Diocesan Education Service
St. Cuthbert's House
West Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE15 7PY
Tel: (0191) 243 3313
Fax: (0191) 243 3309
e-mail: Diocesan Office
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There are 12 SACREs in the North East:
• Darlington
• Durham
• Gateshead
• Hartlepool
• Middlesborough
• Newcastle upon Tyne
• North Tyneside
• Northumberland
• Redcar and Cleveland
• South Tyneside
• Stockton on Tees
• Sunderland
What is a SACRE?
Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs) are responsible in law for advising local education authorities on Religious Education and collective worship. There are over one hundred SACREs in England and Wales. Each SACRE is composed of four representative groups (or three in Wales): Christian and other religious faiths, the Church of England (except in Wales), teachers' associations and elected councillors.
What can SACREs do?
In addition to its advisory role a SACRE has two particular responsibilities:
1 it can require the LA to review its Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. If this is required then the LA must constitute an Agreed Syllabus Conference to undertake this task. This group should reflect the same four groupings of a SACRE, but without provision for co-opted members, and in practice it often involves the same people.
2 it can consider requests from schools to lift the legal requirement to hold an act of collective worship of a broadly Christian character. Such requests come from schools with a large number of pupils from non-Christian religious backgrounds. If the SACRE agrees then the school is granted a 'determination' for five years, after which time the school can reapply if it so wishes.
SACREs have a very important role to play in supporting RE, and in contributing to the raising of standards in the subject. In order to maximise the effectiveness of SACREs, and to strengthen them in carrying out their responsibilities a National Association of SACREs was founded in 1993.
Contacting my local SACRE
For contact information on any of the above North East SACRE's please visit the NASACRE Home Page:
nasacre.org.uk
Click on the 'Members' tab and select 'North East'.
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Having taught for 27 years, Sharon now works as a consultant and trainer. She supports individual schools, local authorities and dioceses specifically in RE and also in using ICT to enhance teaching and learning in RE and has delivered courses, workshops and training both nationally and locally. A Section 48 (SIAS) inspector, Sharon also offers support pre or post inspection.
She has had two CDs published: Raising Achievement in Humanities at Key Stage 2 (Robert Powell Publications) and Religions and Beliefs (Nelson Thornes) for Key Stage 3. Sharon has also worked to support diocesan schools by assisting in the production of electronic materials to support RE and Collective Worship and also with Self Evaluation.
An accredited interactive whiteboard trainer, Sharon offers courses in using IWBs both in a generic and an RE specific context. She is also keen to promote other forms of electronic media to engage learners in RE. This includes creating electronic graphic stories, multimedia presentations with software such as PhotoStory and Movie Maker, podcasting and blogging.
Currently, Sharon is on the Holocaust Fellowship programme through the Imperial War Museum and is able to offer support with Holocaust Education in RE.
Contact Sharon Artley:
Tel: (01287) 660 470
e-mail: Sharon Artley
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Please be aware that whilst the Resources Centre works with, and recommends, these Advisers and Consultants in good faith, it has no knowledge of their CRB status - if this will be an issue, please contact the organisations directly.
The Resources Centre cannot accept responsibility for the views, actions, work done or guidance offered by any of the contacts listed.
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