Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair offered a warm welcome to all attendees and invited each to introduce themselves.

Apologies for absence were received from Alison Benbow.

As the meeting was not quorate, the following suggestions were noted regarding the minutes from the previous meeting held on 15 October 2019.

1. SACRE may invite two local teachers to the next meeting.

2. With regard to Minutes Item 46, SACRE may wait to see which other groups are working on LGBTQ concerns.

3. With regard to Minutes Item 50, inclusive language around fasting may be added, and the document may be circulated via ROSIS.

The minutes of the previous meeting will be resubmitted for approval at the next meeting of SACRE which is scheduled for 23 June 2020.

There were no matters of business which required the exclusion of press or public.

There were no declarations of interest beyond those of members’ recognised religious affiliation which it us understood they were there to represent.

Consideration was given to slides presenting information about ways schools are delivering Religious Education.

Of note was schools’ tendency to offer less Religious Education at Key Stage 3 than at Key Stage 4. Some Programmes have moved from offering two years for Key Stage 3 to offering three years. Data on schools is difficult to obtain because GDPR prevents sharing the results. Therefore, percentages are shared with SACRE without individual school permission.

The slides depicted information regarding students who are withdrawn from RE. Further information was presented that showed some schools have said they did not receive the agreed syllabus. These schools have been emailed the agreed syllabus. It was further noted that the number of schools who should have determinations was not reflected in the feedback that was received.

Consideration was given to Guidance on Meeting the Cultural and Religious Needs of Learners, and it was noted that language might later be revised to emphasize safety.

Feedback from school determinations was unavailable at this meeting and was therefore deferred to the next meeting.

A number of guest speakers. Students most in need of cultural exposure

A number of stalls that students could self-guide through culminating in a final session. Well organised and well attended.

How might the event benefit from respectful discourse training.

Local agreed syllabus and we were able to send out the resources. Well received and attended.

Vanessa will send the worship guide to include in the minutes.

Conference to be run by Doncaster, all information will be sent to schools via ROSIS.  Information will be sent to subject leaders.

Conference to be run by Doncaster, all information will be sent to schools via ROSIS.  Information will be sent to subject leaders.

Consideration was given to the upcoming REwards ceremony.

A future decision will be made as to whether to have the ceremony on the same night as the next SACRE meeting, on 23 June, or to have it on a different night.

SACRE will gather further information regarding which venue might be most suitable for the occasion.

It was noted that the most recent ceremony was about half an hour in duration.

Nominations are now open, as nomination forms have been distributed.

Review of the Agreed Syllabus Conference

An email to Fiona was sent to clarify the costs in the past and the anticipated budget for this time. At high cost to individuals and the group is because people lost heart from SAcre not doing its job. Less funding, less hours than we used to have at that time.

Tricial will send Hannah a historic document.

18^th of March a cultural diversity event at Wingfield with entertainment and food. Vanessa will be circulating further info.

Head teachers meeting of 17^th March and Fiona has asked if Hannah and Vanessa would be able to represent SACRE Tuesday and during the breaks the marketplace.  Tricia has volunteered for half a day and requests a handout with links to distribute.

The next meeting of the Rotherham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) will be held on 23 June 2020, commencing at 4.00 p.m. at Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved:

That the next meeting of the Rotherham Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education be held on 23 June 2020, commencing at 4.00p.m., at Rotherham Town Hall.