Agenda item

Jo Fageant, Professional Advisor to Slough SACRE, updated members on the outcome of a recent Joint SACRE meeting, held on 15^th December 2015.

The meeting was attended by representatives of all 6 Berkshire SACRES, and had discussed how to progress partnership working and the relevant next steps.

Following the meeting, several actions had been agreed, including the proposal for appointment of a coordinator for the Berkshire SACREs Hub, with responsibility for:

·  Scheduling regular Hub meetings from Spring term 2016

·  Communicating minutes/project opportunities and good practice across the 6 SACREs

·  Drafting and costing a Hub work plan to be agreed by all 6 SACREs

·  Drafting and costing a plan for the agreed syllabus review process

·  Leading on the RE syllabus review

In addition, it was proposed that a coordinator for the continuing ‘Crossing the Bridges’ project be appointed, with responsibility for:

·  Organising the project activities, including annual training for visit hosts etc.)

·  Delivering annual training for faith hosts

·  Developing resources to support visits

·  Ensuring SACREs remained informed and updated on the project.

Projected costs for the above were confirmed as:

Total required for 2015-16 per SACRE = £734-817 (2-3 days of Hub coordinator time, respectively)

Total required for 2016-17 per SACRE - £1,450-£1,700 (2-3 days of Hub coordinator time, respectively)

Proposed  funding for the syllabus review had not been confirmed , though for previous reviews each SACRE had contributed approximately £4,000 over two financial years, and it was felt that this would be sufficient to cover the costs of any future review.  The Hub coordinator role could also be partly or wholly funded from syllabus review budgets. It was highlighted that any review could conclude that changes to the syllabus were not necessary, which would reduce any applicable costs.

Ms Fageant confirmed that Jan Lever had expressed a willingness to take on the above roles, and requested that Slough SACRE consider what response they wished to make.

Members deliberated, and agreed that they were happy to be part of a joint RE syllabus review, and were keen to progress the Crossing the Bridges project, and therefore were in favour of the above proposed appointments. The cost implications were noted.

Resolved -   That Slough SACRE make financial contributions to the Joint SACRE Hub for the appointment of a Hub Coordinator, the Crossing the Bridges Project, and a joint review of the RE syllabus.