Agenda and minutes

Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30^th January, 2018 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Further to Minute No. 16 of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, it was noted that the Chair and the Vice-Chair had attended meetings with the Local Authority, although there was not yet any progress being made in respect of an appointment to the post of Curriculum Consultant. The SACRE members acknowledged that the role could be performed by the RE Today organisation but there was uncertainty as to the budget provision required to fund those costs.

Agreed:- That the current position be noted and further information from the Local Authority be awaited.

The Rotherham SACRE membership noted that the annual meeting would take place during October, 2018, with the first items of the agenda being the elections of the Chair and of the Vice-Chair. Persons interested in these positions should notify the Clerk.

Progress of :

Rotherham SACRE Development Plan 2017/18

NASACRE

Further to Minute No. 16(3) of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, the Members of the Rotherham SACRE noted details of the following matters which had been considered by the Working Group:-

(1) Rotherham SACRE Development Plan 2017/18

The Development Plan was being progressed in readiness for detailed consideration at the next meeting of the Rotherham SACRE.

(2) NASACRE

The Local Authority continued to have a subscription to the national body NASACRE and as a consequence would have access to resources available form this body.

Further to Minute No. 20 of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, it was agreed that the Local Authority be asked to ensure that the 2015/16 Annual report is published on the Local Authority’s Internet web site.

It was noted that the 2016/17 annual report was still in the course of preparation.

Further to Minute No. 19 of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, consideration was given to a brief report listing:-

(i) school workforce data for each secondary school within the Rotherham Borough area and the percentage of hours spent on the teaching of Religious Education; and

(ii) the GCSE data for the Religious Education examination results for Rotherham secondary schools for the Summer 2017 sitting.

Members acknowledged the good standards being achieved in some secondary schools and that all schools and academies should be encouraged to continue the teaching of Religious Education, in spite of the GCSE short course no longer being offered in Rotherham schools.

Agreed:- That the information be noted.

The Rotherham SACRE agreed to arrange a training afternoon, to be held on Wednesday, 11th July, 2018, at the Town Hall, Rotherham, which will comprise the key points from the SACRE one-day training delivered by the RE Today organisation during March, 2018 and including SACRE functions, relationships and best practice.

Further to Minute No. 18 of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, the Rotherham SACRE meeting was informed that the annual REwards ceremony, celebrating good practice in Religious Education, would not be taking place during the Summer 2018. Members considered that the preparations for the 2019 REwards ceremony should begin during the Autumn 2018, enabling schools to make appropriate nominations for the awards.

Agreed:- That all schools and academies be invited to make nominations for consideration at the annual REwards ceremony to be held during the Summer 2019.

Further to Minute No. 17 of the meeting of the Rotherham SACRE held on 30th January, 2018, the Rotherham SACRE meeting was informed that the South Yorkshire Religious Education Conference 2018 should have taken place on Wednesday, 14th March, 2018 at the Hub, 103 Canklow Road, Rotherham, but had ultimately been postponed. The arrangements and preparation for the 2018 Conference were being undertaken by the RE Today organisation, with the intention of holding this Conference during October, 2018.

Agreed:- That members of the Rotherham SACRE be informed of the detailed arrangements, when available and endeavour to attend this Conference.

RSACRE Website update   (http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/re/)

Diversity in Primary Schools

Members of the Rotherham SACRE noted details of the following matters:-

(1) Rotherham SACRE Internet web site

Information on the web site had become dated and would require updating as soon as possible : http:///www.rotherham.gov.uk/re/

(2) Diversity of Religion and Belief – a guidance and resource pack for primary schools in England and Wales

This resource pack, published by the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, had been distributed to all primary schools within the Rotherham Borough area.

Agreed:- That the next meeting of the Rotherham SACRE take place on a date to be arranged during October, 2018, at the Town Hall, Rotherham.