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.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th September 2010.

Further to minute 19 (2)  a copy of the schools online article from SACRE to local schools, is attached for information.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th September 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record, subject to the correction to the designation of Groups A to D, and to amend Janet French’s title to Miss.

Further to minute 19 (2), the Chair asked that the information on the work of the SACRE sent to schools be provided to all Councillors as part of the SACRE’s annual report.

            The SACRE received a report recommending changes to its membership.  The SACRE was advised that since the Agenda was published, confirmation had been received from the NASUWT of their nomination of Lottie Rowe to the vacancy on Group C (Teacher Organisations), and from the Methodist Church of the nomination of Mr Mark Cawte to the vacancy on Group A.  Mr Cawte advised that as part of his appointment to represent the Methodist churches, he would resign as a deputy representative for the United Reform Church, and an alternative deputy would be nominated to the next meeting.

            Resolved – 1) That the Membership update be noted.

            2) That Mr Tony McAteer be appointed to the SACRE as a member of Group A (Other Christian Denominations and Other Religions) to represent the Catholic Diocese.

            3) That Miss Lottie Rowe be appointed to the SACRE as a member of Group C (Teacher Organisations) to represent the NASUWT.

            4) That Mr Mark Cawte be appointed to the SACRE as a member of Group A (Other Christian Denominations and other Religions) to represent Methodist Churches in Swindon.

            5) That the SACRE Advisor seek through network meetings nominations for the remaining two NUT vacancies on Group C (Teacher Organisations).

            The SACRE received an update the implementation of its Delivery Plan 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 1 and 2 to the report, and individual members confirmed updates on the work as follows:

·        The SACRE Annual Report would be reported to the next meeting. Mark Cawte would be meeting with Katy Staples to assist with drafting the report.

• Penny Summers would be leading the session at the next Primary Network meeting for a review of the foundation materials.
• Jo Garton confirmed that this was not the best time to promote Community Cohesion with schools as it was no longer likely to be a Government priority in the new year and schools were under pressure from many other new challenges.  This could be revisited in the future, as this remained a priority for the SACRE.
• Mark Cawte and Helen Miller agreed to bring an update to the next meeting on options to encourage feedback from schools in relation to the delivery of RE and Collective Worship.
• Katy Staples and Sarah Foulkes would continue to consider options for an interfaith project for Year 4 during the next year.
• The SACRE discussed the option for SACRE member visits to schools and considered the role of these in supporting Celebrating RE week within the next agenda item.

Resolved – That the SACRE note the progress on the delivery on its Development Plan for 2010/11.

            The SACRE received a report from the SACRE Advisor on the Celebrating RE Month which was taking place in March 2011 and the various ways in which the SACRE could get involved.  It was agreed that it was best for the SACRE to become involved through offering SACRE Member time to visit schools or other community events which related to the celebration of RE during the month, and to promote these through local media.  It was important that the events do not just focus on Easter, but on the diversity of faith in the town.

            Resolved – 1) That the SACRE notes that the national Celebrating RE Month is taking place in March 2011.

            2) That the Director of Schools and Learning and SACRE advisor be requested to inform schools of the ways in which they can get involved in Celebrating RE Month, via the RE Network meeting and by placing information on school online web pages.

            3) The SACRE Advisor circulate to SACRE Members information on the range of events that are taking place for Celebrating RE Month when known.

            4) SACRE members advise the SACRE Advisor when they can be available to support events and schools during March 2011 in their Celebrating RE activities.

            Katy Staples advised that the secondary network meeting had met on 14^th October at Ridgeway School with regard to ‘The Best Unit of Work we Teach’.  This had highlighted a number of interesting projects, including Ridgeway’s involvement in a Face to Faith Project, enabling video conferences between classes in different areas in the world and a discussion of faith issues.  Lottie Rowe advised that the first of the video conferences with her class was due to take place in January or March, and this could be videoed and the results shared with the SACRE.  It was agreed that this was an exciting project for enabling children of different nationalities and faiths to communicate.

            It was noted that the next Network meetings would be held in January, on 26^th January 2011 at Nova Hreod School for the Secondary meeting and on 20^th January at Oliver Tomkins Infant School for the Primary meeting.  It was suggested that one or two other members of the SACRE may wish to attend network meetings, as this gave a real understanding of how RE is taught in Swindon.

            Resolved – 1) That the update on the Network Meetings is noted.

            2) That any other SACRE Members wishing to attend the Network Meeting contact the SACRE Advisor.

The next meeting of the SACRE is on 15 March 2011 at 6 pm.

            It was noted that the next SACRE meeting would be held on Tuesday 15^th March 2011.