Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

            The Chair reminded members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No public questions were received during the meeting.

·    The Chair has received a letter regarding the 2010 Accord Award, which schools can apply to win.  This recognises excellence in the promotion of equality and inclusion and the celebration the diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs in schools and local communities.  This Award will be advertised to schools via the weekly schools alert.

            The Chair advised that a letter had been received regarding the 2010 Accord Award, which schools could apply to win, recognising excellence in the promotion of equality and inclusion and the celebration of the diversity of religious and no-religious beliefs in schools and local communities.  Katy Staples (SACRE Advisor) advised that a similar award had been launched by the Church of England Diocese Board of Education. 

Resolved – That both award schemes be advised to schools via the schools alert.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th June 2010.

            Resolved – 1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th June 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

            2) That further to minute 7, the SACRE advisor contact the members of the SACRE listed on how they can assist with the delivery of the Development Plan.

            The SACRE received a report recommending changes to its membership.

            Resolved – 1) That the Membership update be noted.

            2) That Ms Janet French be appointed to the SACRE as a member of Group B (Church of England Group) to serve until September 2011, unless reappointed at that stage for a further four year term.

            3) That the SACRE endorse the appointment of Mr David Burbidge to Group A (Other Christian Denominations and Other Religions) to represent Baptist Churches in Swindon to serve until September 2011, unless reappointed at that stage for a further four year term.

            4) That the SACRE Advisor continue to seek representatives to the remaining four vacancies on the SACRE.

            Katy Staples (SACRE Advisor) presented the report on the national developments in relation to the provision of Religious Education (RE).

            The SACRE noted the Exemplification Materials for RE which had been published by the Department for Education, and the tabled example of the types of material included.

            Katy Staples advised on the Agreed Syllabus Collaboration Network which had been set up for SACREs to work together on what should be the core for all Agreed Syllabuses, and what should be locally determined.  It was noted that Mark Chater (who is the current lead officer for RE for the outgoing Qualification and Curriculum Authority) might be able to attend the next meeting to talk about the collaboration network. 

            Finally, it was anticipated that the Coalition Government was expected to include RE in its curriculum review early next year and this could fundamentally change the way in which RE was to be taught.  

            Resolved – 1) That the report and the national developments in relation to RE be noted.

            2) That the Director of Schools and Learning and SACRE Advisor advise schools of the new exemplification materials for RE, via the schools alert and via RE Network Meetings.

            3) That the Agreed Syllabus Conference be recommended to take into account the national developments in relation to the Exemplification Materials for RE, the development of the Agreed Syllabus Collaboration Network, and the potential for the inclusion of RE in the Government’s curriculum review, when considering the development of the next Locally Agreed Syllabus.

            Katy Staples advised that two network meetings had been held since the last SACRE.  The secondary network had had an excellent visit to the Sikh Temple.  The primary network had met and shared how to be a good subject leader and discussed best practice models.  The dates of the meetings for the year were advised to the SACRE, and the SACRE Advisor confirmed that SACRE members were welcome to attend, and should contact her for further information if wishing to do so.

The next meeting of the SACRE is on Tuesday 7^th December 2010 at 6 pm and will be held at St Michael’s Church in Highworth.  

Refreshments will be available from 5.45 pm and Reverent Arthur Woo has kindly offered to provide SACRE Members with a tour of the interesting historical aspects of the church building prior to the start of the SACRE meeting.

            It was noted that the next SACRE meeting would be on Tuesday 7^th December at 6 pm at St Michael’s Church in Highworth.  Reverend Arthur Woo had offered to provide refreshments and a tour of the interesting historical aspects of the church building prior to the meeting from 5.45 pm.