Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair offered a warm welcome to all attendees.

Agreed:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11^th June, 2019 be approved as a correct record.

With regards to Minute No. 40 information relating to Faith Leaders and School Visits Policy had been forwarded to ROSIS and circulated to all schools.

Apologies were also offered for the delay in setting up the working group regarding further guidance around LGBT issues as per Minute No. 41.  Work was currently taking place by other groups on the same issue and it would be sensible to look at their guidance rather than duplicating efforts at this stage.  A meeting would be arranged at the most appropriate time.

Consideration was given to a letter circulated by the Chair regarding the Confirmation of Determination in respect of Thornhill Primary School, which had recently taking place and would last for five years until June, 2024.

Discussion ensued on the schools who had outstanding Determinations and volunteers were sought for these to be undertaken.

The responsibility of Determinations lay with the respective Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education.  It was suggested that schools be encouraged to consider and seek a Determination and for the relevant guidance to be re-issued.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the letter to Thornhill Primary School be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That guidance on Determinations be re-issued to schools as part of the ROSIS bulletin and they be encouraged to consider a Confirmation of Determination.

(3)  That Trisha Williams contact the relevant schools and undertake the outstanding Determination Confirmations.

Any questions to be raised at the meeting.

Consideration was given to the feedback from the Religious Education and Collective Worship Survey Results for 2019 for primary schools.

Results of the questions from the thirty-one primary schools that responded were set out in detail as part of the report.

The survey detail was welcomed and those present were interested in some of the results.  It was suggested that as the secondary survey had only been circulated at the last meeting, this be included as an agenda item for consideration at the next meeting.

All those involved in the collaboration of the survey were commended for their efforts.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the survey results be received and the contents noted.

(2)  That further information on the Collective Worship Guide be provided for inclusion in the School Information Service Bulletin for all schools.

(3)  That feedback from the Religious Education and Collective Worship Survey Results for 2019 for secondary schools be included as an agenda item for further consideration at the next meeting.

This item was deferred for inclusion on the next meeting’s agenda.

Agreed:-  That the documentation be recirculated and any comments be fed back before Christmas, 2019.

To consider whether Rotherham would wish to host.

An update was provided on the delivery on the twilight sessions on Religious Education and Collective Worship; the first of which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 22^nd October, 2019 between 4.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.  Twenty-seven confirmations of attendance had been received.

In addition, Rotherham had been approached to see if it wished to host the LAT Course on 25^th June, 2020.  This would coincide with the R.E. Conference and also the REwards Ceremony.  How these could further collaborate would need further consideration and would need to be appropriately promoted.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the positive support to the Staff CPD Twilight Sessions be noted.

(2)  That further consideration be given to the hosting of the LAT Course on the 25^th June, 2020.

The Chair reiterated her apologies for the delay in setting up the working group regarding further guidance around LGBT issues.  Work was currently taking place by other groups on the same issue and it would be sensible to look at their guidance rather than duplicating efforts at this stage.  A meeting would be arranged at the most appropriate time.

Agreed:-  That a meeting of the Working Group be arranged in due course.

This item was deferred for inclusion on the next meeting’s agenda.

Consideration was given to the date and time of the next meeting.

Reference was made to the Members of SACRE’s invitation to the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of the BAB, which took place at the Tesco Community Space on Sunday, 13th October, 2019 between 12.00 Noon and 3.00 p.m.

Details were also to be circulated on the Rotherham Interfaith Week events commencing Sunday, 10th November to Saturday, 17th November, 2019.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the information be received and noted.

(2)  That the next meeting of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education take place on Tuesday, 3rd March, 2020 at 4.00 p.m.