Executive

The Executive comprises the four elected honorary officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary, and eight other people elected by member SACREs at the annual meeting. The Executive has the power to co-opt up to three additional people. Also in attendance is the immediate past Chair, acting as Executive Assistant.

The Executive is responsible for policy and planning of events and activities in fulfilment of the aims of the association. It meets each term to plan events and discuss policy and operational issues as they arise.

Members of the executive for the year 2020-21 are:

Officers:

Chair: Linda Rudge

I am a member of Cornwall SACRE, and I am looking forward to working on the Executive committee. My background is in initial and continuing education of teachers, especially in RE. I have worked as a teacher, an LA adviser (Essex) and a university lecturer (UEA, Norwich). Most recently I have worked to establish the Learn Teach Lead RE networks in the south-west and the north of England, and I am also the project manager for the RE Quality Mark. My particular interests are in curriculum and professional development for RE.

Vice Chair: Vacant

Secretary: Sue Holmes

Sue grew up in London before moving North in 1985. She is a cancer research scientist turned primary teacher, advisory teacher turned consultant. Previously an RE adviser for the local authority and the diocese, Sue is now an independent consultant. She has wide-ranging education experience, both in and out of the classroom. Previously a SIAMS inspector, lecturing at Hull University for B.Ed and PGCE courses, Sue is currently an REQM assessor. She chairs the local Church-School Trust and is on the Hull and East Riding Interfaith Committee. Sue weaves aspects of her personal passion - nurturing young people’s spirituality through the environment - into RE whenever she can, and as a volunteer for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. She has long-standing links with a faith school in Kenya, and is a regular volunteer with the local ecumenical Horseracing Chaplaincy team.

Treasurer: Michael Metcalf

Michael is one of the Church of England representatives on Group B of Staffordshire SACRE, and its elected Chair since about 2001. He is a retired priest and educationist, and a Prebendary (Emeritus) of Lichfield Cathedral.

His earlier posts include Head of Religious Studies and Senior Lecturer in a teacher training college, and Director of Education for Lichfield Diocese; he was an Open University tutor for 17 years on The Religious Quest course.

Married with one son, one daughter, and one son-in-law. Treasurer of NASACRE since its beginning, he currently also represents NASACRE on the Inter Faith Network (UK), and convenes the Awards Panel for SACRE Projects for Young People (the Westhill/NASACRE Awards).

Elected Members

Claire Clinton

Claire currently works in Newham, leading professional development around RE, Collective Worship, SMSC, British Values, P4C and coaching.
‘As an advisory teacher, I have over 18 years’ experience, working in Essex, Redbridge and Newham. I have written and produced award-winning books for Harper Collins, John Murray and Christian Aid. Since 1995 I have been a member of SACREs in Essex, Redbridge and Newham in a variety of roles. ‘

Sheila Gewolb

I have just been elected as Senior Vice President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. Previously I was Vice President and Chair of the Community and Education division. I represent the Jewish voice on Cumbria SACRE. I have been speaking in schools about my faith and way of life for over 35 years, and my role on the Board of Deputies has allowed me to expand this outreach work. I am excited to be on the NASACRE Executive as a development officer. I look forward to working with the rest of the team to improve our effectiveness and that of all SACREs in these uncertain times when RE is being challenged as a fundamental core curriculum subject.

Alex Klein

I am the current Chair of Salford SACRE and sit in Group A. I previously sat on Salford Schools Forum representing faith groups. I have formed a sub-committee with primary and secondary school representatives, we meet and discuss various issues appertaining to schools and how we can improve lessons and activities. I’m currently engaging with the Salford Youth Mayor with the aim to form a Youth SACRE and create a multi-cultural youth music festival.

Executive Assistant

Paul Smalley

Paul is a Senior Lecturer in Religious Education at Edge Hill University where he leads the Undergraduate Secondary RE course and contributes to the PGCE programme. He previously taught in high schools in West Yorkshire, Wigan and Halton for 12 years, being both Head of Department and Head of Year. A member of Halton SACRE since 2001, he is now vice-chair. He also provides support to RE teachers through work with Culham St Gabriel’s.

Co-optees

Denise Chaplin

Following a degree in English & Theology from Southampton University, Denise taught in Middle, Junior and Secondary schools in Buckinghamshire & Hillingdon. She has since worked as an Adviser & Inspector with SACREs in many parts of London and currently supports the SACREs in Lewisham, Lambeth and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Denise works part time for Lewisham LA as their School Improvement Officer for community cohesion and RE and is a part time carer for her mother. She has previously served on the REC as a Board member, chairing the Celebrating RE Bi- National Festival in 2011 and is still a member of the REC's Professional Development Committee. Having served on NASACRE as Chair in the past, Denise is currently on the executive, working with special interest in SACRE training, the involvement of local communities and the SACRE Briefings.

Elizabeth Jenkerson

Though American, Elizabeth has lived in the UK for over a decade. Semi-retired now, she is a librarian by profession, but has also been a teacher; she currently works as a proof-reader and editor. Elizabeth is an active member of the Baha'i community, and she assists the chaplaincy at the Royal Hampshire Hospital. She serves on Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton SACREs, supporting Youth Voice and serving on various sub-committees.

Lesley Prior

Lesley worked as Adviser for RE in the London Borough of Hounslow from 1992 to 2010 and continues to support its SACRE . Since September 2010, she has been employed part time by the Diocese of London to support RE and Collective Worship in community schools. In that role, she currently advises a further eight SACREs in other parts of London.

Lesley also has extensive experience in Initial Teacher Training in RE in a variety of different contexts and is now based at the University of Roehampton for the rest of her time. She represents England on the European Forum of Teachers of RE (EFTRE) and is Chair of EFTRE. She is a member of the Shap Working Party on Education in World Religions and a range of other professional bodies, including the RE Council of England and Wales.