Agenda and minutes

Following the resignation of Bruce Gillham the Committee considered the appointment of a Vice Chair.

RESOLVED that Councillor Kevin Rodgers be appointed Vice Chair of SACRE.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th October, 2017 be agreed as a true record.

The SACRE was informed of its requirement to establish an occasional body called an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC). The purpose of the ASC is to agree a Religious Education Syllabus which is educationally sound, meets legal requirements and may be adopted by the local authority. The syllabus must be followed in maintained schools without a designated denomination and is subject to a review on a five yearly basis. The next scheduled review is scheduled to be undertaken during 2018.

It is a requirement that the membership of the ASC should include representatives from: Christian denominations and such other denominations that appropriately reflect the principal religious traditions in the area i.e. the Church of England, Teachers’ Associations and the Local Authority.

In view of this requirement it was recommended that the members of the SACRE be appointed to the ASC.

RESOLVED that:-

1)    The SACRE establish an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) for the purpose of reviewing the agreed RE syllabus 2018 and the inaugural meeting take place immediately following the close of the SACRE meeting;

2)    That the following terms of reference be agreed:

                              i.      The purpose of the ASC is to agree a Religious Education Syllabus which is educationally sound, meets legal requirements and may be adopted by the local authority;

                             ii.      The current members of SACRE be appointed to the Agreed Syllabus Conference;

                            iii.      At least one representative is required to be drawn from each Committee and must be present at an ASC meeting to ensure it is quorate;

                           iv.      Any sub committee appointed by the ASC shall include at least one member of each of the committees constituting the conference; and

                            v.      On any question to be decided by the ASC or by any of its sub committees, a single vote shall be given for each of the committees constituting the conference.

3)    The ASC may seek advice it considers appropriate from additional individuals who are not members of the ASC to inform the development of effective RE provision in the area.