Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and invited Kathy Hadfield to open the meeting with a prayer.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the SACRE meeting of held on 8 March 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Further to Minute 17, SACRE Membership, Martin Surrell reported that the ASCL representative position was still vacant.

Further to Minute 20, Resources Centre and Artefacts Update, Martin Surrell reported that 6 schools had accessed the artefacts since the last meeting and a number of schools had collected an artefacts catalogue at today’s Locally Agreed Syllabus launch. He also reported that the Welcome to Bracknell Forest event would be held on Thursday 20 September at 4pm and that Members were welcome to attend to draw attention to the artefacts collection.

Further to Minute 22, Mark Olney reported that he had not yet sent the pod cast of the Faith Debate to the Clerk.

(Action: Mark Olney)

An update detailing all outstanding vacancies on SACRE is attached.

A report listing current vacancies was noted. In addition, it was reported that Colin Hickson (NUT) and Samantha Hunt (ATL) would be standing down.

Feedback from David Fawcett, following his attendance at the NASACRE AGM on 23 May 2012.

David Fawcett tabled a report on the AGM together with a pamphlet from NASACRE on collective worship.

He suggested that members download the presentations given at the AGM at www.nasacre.org.uk/events.html

David also congratulated Jo Fageant on being elected as Secretary of NASACRE.

Members are asked to feedback any comments on the recently approved Locally Agreed Syllabus for RE and give some consideration to any training opportunities in the next academic year 2012/13.

The Chairman reported that there had been a real buzz of excitement at the launch of the New Locally Agreed Syllabus and that there was a general feeling amongst teachers that the new syllabus brought greater clarity. Also, it had been suggested by teachers that SACRE sponsor a contest for Year 9 pupils to develop a brochure for the 5 other main religions, similar to that produced by the Oxford Diocese on Christianity, with sections on Believing, Behaving, Belonging. This could be considered at the next SACRE meeting.

(Action: Clerk)

The Chairman paid tribute to Gordon Anderson’s contribution and stated that she would take him a copy.

(Action: Paula Ridgway)

She highlighted the chart setting out the overview of key questions for Key Stages 1-3 on page 20 as a valuable resource together with the Key Stage enquiries and concepts on pages 8-9 and suggested that the chart on page 20 needed to be included at the beginning of Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, as well, on the cd to be sent to schools. She stated that one of the main achievements of the Syllabus was that the faith communities came together and agreed the content.

                                                                                                (Action: Jo Fageant)

Martin Surrell reported that each school had been provided with 3 copies of the Syllabus – for the RE Coordinator, Headteacher and Chair of Governors. He would be aiming to send a cd version to schools before the end of term, subject to receiving a copy with all errors corrected.

(Action: Martin Surrell)

Jo Fageant reminded the meeting that the Syllabus applied across Berkshire. However it was noted that schools which were or would become academies were under no obligation to follow the Agreed Syllabus.

It was agreed that the Agreed Syllabus should be a standing item on future agendas.

(Action: Clerk)

Members are asked to note the draft minutes of the Agreed Syllabus Conference held on 15 May 2012.

The minutes of the Conference held on 15 May 2012 were agreed as a correct record.

Feedback from Madeline Diver who attended the Hinduism Workshop, arranged by the Indian Community Association in Bracknell (ICAB).

Madeline Diver tabled a report on the Workshop, setting out the key values and principles of Hinduism.  She reported that she was struck by the similarity of the core values to Christianity and other religions and thanked ICAB for the opportunity to attend.

Martin Surrell to provide a briefing on the SACRE Budget 2012/13.

Martin Surrell reported that the SACRE annual budget had previously been reduced to £1500. Because of the statutory requirement to produce the Agreed Syllabus, he had obtained permission to overspend this year. The budget was sufficient to fund routine SACRE activity but it would be difficult to fund the purchase of or repair of artefacts and it would be necessary to demonstrate a particular need for any one-off expenditure.

The meeting agreed that the current budget was inadequate and asked Councillors to see if any additional funding could be identified.

The Chairman reported that this was her last meeting, thanked members for their support and encouraged them to volunteer to chair future meetings. Members thanked Paula for her work as Chairman.

8 November 2012, Council Chamber

7 March 2013, Council Chamber

16 May 2013, Council Chamber

4 July 2013, Education Centre

7 November 2013, Council Chamber

8 November 2012, Council Chamber

7 March 2013, Council Chamber

16 May 2013, Council Chamber

4 July 2013, Education Centre

7 November 2013, Council Chamber