In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Senior Committee Services Officer acted as Chairman until the Chairman arrived.

To elect the Chairman for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

Nominations for Chairman of the SACRE were sought.  Jane Chipperton was nominated, seconded and duly elected.

Members thanked the Chairman for her hard work.

RESOLVED

that Jane Chipperton be elected as the Chairman of the SACRE for 2017/18.

To elect the Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

Nominations for Vice-Chairman of the SACRE were sought.  Councillor Mrs Doreen Gurney was nominated, seconded and duly elected.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Mrs Gurney be elected as the Vice-Chairman of the SACRE for 2017/18.

To consider the spiritual, moral, social and cultural comments from Ofsted reports January to March 2017.

The SACRE considered a report that set out the Ofsted results for Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) for the period January to March 2017.  It was noted that some of the comments by Ofsted were focused on British values.  Members discussed the following:

·         St Swithuns Lower School, Sandy had received a good report and pupils’ SMSC development was a strength of the school;

·         Ridgemont Lower School had also received positive comments;

·         Eaton Bray Primary School required improvement, although there was plenty of opportunity for pupils to contribute to SMSC;

·         Houghton Regis Primary School required improvement, although the SMSC was good and was promoted effectively;

·         Hawthorn Park Primary School, Houghton Regis SMSC required improvement as it was felt they did not learn enough about different cultures, religions or beliefs;

·         Fullbrook, Woburn and Potton Middle Schools were graded as good; and

·         All Saints Academy, Dunstable required improvement, although British values were promoted and there were many opportunities to extend SMSC development.

RESOLVED

1.            that the report be noted; and

2.            that Mr Harpin provide a list of Religious Education specialists in Central Bedfordshire schools to the SACRE, if this information was not available then a questionnaire be sent to the schools asking them for details of their worship or spiritual co-ordinator.  This would be carried out in the Autumn term.

The Chairman joined the meeting and took over as Chairman.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 21 February 2017.

The SACRE noted that Jo Ann Gaunt the Baptist representative had resigned from the Board and Members agreed to send a letter thanking her for her contribution.

It was also noted that the representative for Special Schools was still vacant.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to amending Carly Woodall being a representative of Group B and not C as set out in the minutes.

To review the update from Lat Blaylock.

The SACRE considered a report that set out progress on the collaboration for a new RE Agreed Syllabus.  Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton SACREs had agreed their budget and outline plan for a new syllabus, the budget and reserved funds needed for the syllabus with contributions from all 3 authorities and the Diocese of Saint Albans. 

A questionnaire had been circulated to gather the ideas and opinions of all stakeholders about the directions and needs that must be met if the new syllabus was to be successful

A meeting for RE teachers on SACRE and other interested stakeholders was due to take place on 11 July 2017 to discuss the proposed new syllabus.  Members encouraged attendance to this meeting, especially teachers representing Years 7 and 8, to enable a thorough discussion on the units.  The draft overview of possible units was tabled at the meeting.  These units would bring together an understanding of Christianity and the Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton syllabus.

NOTED

the report.

To receive the Agreed Syllabus questionnaire.

NOTED

the Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Agree Syllabus Questionnaire.

Understanding Christianity and potential links with the current Agreed Syllabus.

As discussed under minute SACRE/17/5.

To consider the new draft Development Plan.

The SACRE considered the draft SACRE Development Plan covering April 2017 – March 2018:-

·         visits to schools in Central Bedfordshire to observe RE lessons had not been taking place, but would need to be revisited in the Autumn term;

·         the number of schools applying for the RE Quality Mark had dropped.  Reference to the trial period to be removed;

·         Mr Harpin had met with officers at Central Bedfordshire Council to discuss the funding for the Agreed Syllabus.  He would follow this up with an email for clarification on the budget; and

·         a new Deputy Director Transformation & Education had been appointed at Central Bedfordshire Council and officer support would now fall under his remit.

NOTED

the report.

To receive the feedback from NASACRE AGM.

Mr Harpin had attended the NASACRE AGM where Dr Joyce Miller, Associate Fellow in the Religions and Education Research Unit at the University of Warwick was a key speaker.  She spoke about the work of the RE Commission and suggested some questions for SACREs on their roles and futures.  Her presentation considered the way in which RE existed within a world of where technology was developing at a rapid rate.

NOTED

the report.

To note that the next meeting of the SACRE will be held on Tuesday 7 November, 2017 at 2.00 p.m., Priory House, Shefford.

Next meeting was schedule for Tuesday 7 November 2017 at 2.00 p.m., Priory House, Shefford.

It was agreed that dates for future meetings needed to be set and it was suggested that the first meeting in 2018 be scheduled for the 20/21 February 2018 with a 2 p.m. start time.