Agenda item

Sameena Choudry provided a slide presentation on changes made to SACREs Web Page, to ensure that it was up to date. The web page included details on:-

• Diversity of Faiths on a rolling programme
• The membership and remit of SACRE
• Key Religious Organisations
• A web link to the Council Chamber website to access SACRE agendas and minutes
• Training dates for RE Teachers for 2019-20 to be booked via ‘My Doncaster’
• Resources to Support Schools
• Key Publications
• Useful Links – weblink for schools to obtain a copy of the locally agreed Syllabus for RE

Further to a question from a member, it was noted that due to copyright laws, electronic copies of Doncaster's Locally Agreed Syllabus for RE 2019 - 2024, was not available to view online.  However, electronic copies were available on request by contacting Sameena Choudry. It was noted that there would be a cost to purchase a hard copy of the Syllabus.

During discussion, Pahani Kaur suggested that it would be helpful for the web page to provide a link to the contact details of all local Faith Organisations so that schools could arrange visits.  It was also proposed that the web page include details of the Protocols in place for schools wanting to visit faith organisations, to signpost people to information in relation to who to contact, opening times and whether there was a charge to visit.  Members welcomed this proposal. It was also suggested that the web page include photographs of local faith organisations places of worship.  It was agreed that prior to Sameena Choudry including a web link of contacts on the web page, she would write to all local faith organisations seeking their permission to include their contact details and photographs on the web page and the approval process for such visits, and the designated contact person.

Sally Faulkner spoke of her recent visit to the Doncaster Minster, which she found to be a very useful and positive experience, and had been very valuable to the children who had visited.  She asked whether more visits to other faith organisations could be offered to schools.  To assist schools making such requests to faith organisations, Sameena Choudry agreed to produce a pro-forma for schools to use to submit such requests, and that this be shared with SACRE members before being included on SACREs web page. 

Members were requested to review the information on the Web Page and feedback any changes to Sameena Choudry outside of the meeting.

SACRE thanked Sameena Choudry for her work in updating the website, which they felt was accessible, interesting and stimulating.

AGREED that

(1)      the verbal update on the Web Page, be received and noted;

(2)      subject to the approval of each faith organisation, the web page include a link to their respective contact details, opening times, who approves requests to attend such organisations, and costs for schools wanting to visit; and

(3)      a letter be sent on behalf of SACRE to all local Faith Organisations, seeking their permission to include their contact details and photographs on SACREs web page.