Agenda item

(Lynda Bussley joined the meeting).

David Rees, the SACRE Professional Adviser provided an update on the Action Plan for September 2019 – August 2020. The Action Plan had been set out into three areas for ease of reference namely:

A)  Core Business – To enable SACRE to be supportive and proactive and  enjoy the benefit of a full and well informed membership.

B)  To provide support to teachers of RE to continually improve RE learning in schools.

C)  To support the Pan-Berkshire Hub and the support materials for the Agreed Syllabus.

Members were advised that with regards to supporting teachers of RE, it was difficult to run network meetings due to the challenges of teacher attendance. However, attendance at network meetings would not only be useful for teachers, it would demonstrate that schools were supporting RE.

During discussions it was acknowledge that whilst the majority of schools in Slough were academies, academies without a religious character were required to follow an Agreed Syllabus for RE but could choose which Agreed Syllabus they followed.

Members agreed that an introductory SACRE News Briefing circular should be sent to schools before the end of the Summer term with the SACRE Newsletter following there after. It was noted that the first network meeting would be held on Thursday 27 February 2020 from 4pm – 5.30pm at Slough and Eton CE Business and Enterprise College. The meeting would be cross-phased in order to promote RE. Notification would be sent to RE Leads/Co-ordinators and all schools via TheLink.

Resolved that:

i)  The SACRE Action Plan for September 2019- August 2020 be noted.

ii)  A SACRE News Briefing circular be sent to schools at the end of the summer term followed by circulation of a regular SACRE Newsletter.

iii)  The first network meeting would be held on Thursday 27 February

2020.

(Councillor Smith left the meeting).