Members of the SACRE team were welcomed to the first meeting of the Central Bedfordshire Council SACRE and were invited to introduce themselves.

To appoint a Chairman until the first meeting of the Municipal Year 2011/12.

Nominations were invited for the Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire SACRE for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

RESOLVED

that Jane Chipperton be elected as Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire SACRE for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman until the first meeting of the Municipal Year 2011/12.

Nominations were invited for the Vice-Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire SACRE for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

RESOLVED

that Cllr John Street be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Central Bedfordshire SACRE for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

To receive the Annual Report of the SACRE 2008/09.

(to follow)

The School Improvement Advisor informed the Committee that the Annual Report for 2008/09 had been sent to Schools and the Chairs of Governors.  The Committee discussed whether anyone else should receive the document.  It was agreed that it should be sent to all School Governors.  In addition, the creation of a SACRE page on the Central Bedfordshire Council website would be investigated.  The document could be displayed there also.

RESOLVED

1.         that the Annual Report for 2008/09 be sent to all School Governors;

2.         that the Annual Report would also be displayed on the SACRE page of the Council’s website, when this becomes available.

To agree the SACRE Constitution.

(attached)

It was noted that the current constitution was based upon the former County Council’s SACRE constitution.  During discussion Members indicated a preference for a lower quorum requirement of one person from each Group.

AGREED

to amend the Central Bedfordshire SACRE’s Constitution, 8.0 Proceedings to read “The Quorum for the Council will be an attendance from each group of at least one person.” 

(The amended constitution is attached  at Appendix A to these minutes)

To receive the report of the Agreed Syllabus Conference.

(to follow)

The SACRE was informed that the Agreed Syllabus was to be reviewed every five years and had last been reviewed by the former County Council in 2006.  It was proposed that a joint review be carried out with Luton and Bedford Borough Councils along with RE Today; ensuring similar syllabuses and reducing the cost of the review.  Concerns were raised that such a large group could be difficult to manage.  It was noted that a Working Party of teachers could be set up to read all the documentation and then report back to the Review Group for final decision making.

AGREED

1.         to proceed with a combined review; and

2.         to receive a report on costs and timescales at the next meeting in September 2010.

To receive an oral report at the meeting.

The Chairman advised the Council that Ven Akurala Samitha, Nina Leigh and Mohsin Malik had taken part in the training at schools and asked them for their feedback.  The overall feedback was that it was thought important to meet others, to see how others teach RE and to seeing how the legislation related to RE.  It was noted that the training tools were available on CD.

The oral reports were noted.

To receive an oral report at the meeting.

The Chairman had attended the NASACRE AGM and reported that the conference was of a high quality.  She also advised that the QCDA would not be operating as from December 2010 and therefore would not be able in future to share RE information at National Conferences.  It was also noted that there was much change happening regarding RE and the new coalition Government.  The Chairman noted that the DFE (Department for Education) Circular 1/94 had been updated prior to the elections taking place.

A SACRE member drew to the meeting’s attention that a comment had been made on a political website on the Christianity content of RE lessons.  It was noted that the coalition Government may well bring forward changes.

The Chairman commented that the SACRE needed to be clear on how to monitor RE in Bedfordshire and pointed out that the 3 yearly HMI (Her Majesty’s Inspector) report did not reflect the position in Bedfordshire.

The School Improvement Advisor advised that he would circulate the OFSTED report and the RE Guidance that replaces Circular 1/94 out to schools electronically.  He also indicated that further information can be located on the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning: www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/re.

RESOLVED

to note the update.

For discussion.

The Chairman asked the Council to consider ideas for the National Celebration of RE in March 2011.  It was noted that all new Unitary authorities would be holding elections in May 2011 and Councillors would not be available after the middle of March.  It was requested that any events be planned for early March.

Ideas were put forward as follows:

·              To contact the Equality & Diversity Forum to see if they would like to work with SACRE.  Their next meeting is 17 June 2010 meeting and the contact officer is Clare Harding.  The School Improvement Advisor to liaise.

·              Highlight the spirituality aspect of RE by holding a “Celebrating Spirituality in RE Day” – invite schools to take part, areas to be created which express each faith’s spirituality for children to explore and experience i.e. How do Christians pray? What objects might some use to inspire/deepen their spirituality?  The day to close with a celebration of what binds various faiths together – unity and diversity.

·              Workshop in schools – roleplay - Funding from PVE

·              Party at “House” Ampthill – Bunyan reference.

RESOLVED

to ask the School Improvement Advisor to work on these ideas.

To consider the SACRE Development Plan.

(attached)

Prior to the consideration of this item it was noted that the SACRE had become inquorate due to the departure of a member from Group A.  The SACRE agreed to continue to discuss the items but noted that they could not make decisions.

The School Improvement Advisor asked the Committee to review the current SACRE Development Plan for 2010/11, (which was taken from the old Bedfordshire County Council format) and determine what could be added or removed.

Suggestions were made for additions to the Development Plan to include:

·              Finding out which schools would like support from SACRE

·              Holocaust Memorial Day

·              Agreed Syllabus Conference

·              Celebrating RE month

·              Contacting new Heads of Schools to welcome them and give information as to the support SACRE can provide.

It was agreed to remove Objective 1 with regards to the Induction as training had already taken place.  Objectives 2 through to 6 were ongoing.

The Chairman commented that if any of the Members would like to attend training there was a budget for this via Children’s Services.

NOTED

that the School Improvement Advisor would update the Development Plan and circulate it to SACRE members.

Inspections for Spring Term 2009 and Autumn Term 2009.

(to follow)

The School Improvement Advisor had provided a report on OFSTED inspections for Spring and Summer of 2009.  It was noted that as of September 2009 a new OFSTED Framework had been introduced and OFSTED would no longer be awarding a distinct grade for “Personal Development and Wellbeing”.  This current report noted the strengths and gave details where relevant.  The School Improvement Advisor indicated that he would report back on SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural values) and Community Cohesion in future.

The Council noted that the schools which had achieved an outstanding result could be commended with a letter and also support could be offered to schools that had not performed so well.  The School Improvement Advisor would draft both letters.

NOTED

1.         that the School Improvement Advisor would write to schools commending their result or offering support though SACRE;

2.         to note that the School Improvement Advisor would report on SMSC in schools at future meetings.

To review.

The Chairman advised the SACRE that the previous Holocaust Memorial Day which took place at Redborne School had been supported financially by SACRE.  The School Improvement Advisor suggested that the SACRE look into working with Bedford Borough’s SACRE and the Equality and Diversity Forum for this event.

NOTED

that the School Improvement Advisor and Chairman would investigate the possibilities of a joint event to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.

The School Improvement Advisor informed the SACRE that a letter had been received from the British Humanist Society asking SACRE to co-opt a humanist representative in line with the Government’s new guidance on Religious Education.

The SACRE considered the request but noted it had been received from the National branch of the Society rather than a local request.  It was noted that although non-religious viewpoints should be covered in accordance with the new guidance, there were concerns to be mindful of any political agenda.  It was noted that another SACRE had invited a local representative to give a presentation and then voted afterwards on Humanist representation.  This may be a possible option for CBC SACRE should the request be received locally.

For further information www.humanism.org.uk.

NOTED

that further consideration would be given to Humanist representation on the SACRE at the September meeting.

To ensure accuracy of Member information.

SACRE members were asked to ensure their contact information with regards to current telephone numbers and email addresses was up to date.

To set a date for the next meeting.

NOTED

that the next meeting of SACRE will be on 22September 2010 at 2pm in Room 14, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford.