Apologies were received from Mrs S Bryant, Mrs S Catlow-Hawkins, Ani-Li Choesang, Mrs A Daniels, and Ms K Mayglothling.

None.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on the 29 November 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

None.

a)    To note the resignation of Mr P Bowen, Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School, from Group B, and to appoint Ms Melissa Williams, Bishop of Hereford Bluecoat School, in his place.

b)    To consider the election of the co-opted member, Ms A Taylor, St Mary’s Primary School, Fownhope, as a Church of England representative in Group B of the Constitution; and;

c)    To consider the election of Mrs Judith Tinsley, Head of Colwall CE Primary School, Malvern, as the co-opted primary school representative.

SACRE considered a report on its membership. 

Resolved

That: 

a)        The appointment of Ms M Williams as a Church of England representative in Group B be approved, subject to approval from the Diocese; and           

b)        Ms A Taylor, St Mary’s Primary School, Fownhope, be elected as a Church of England representative in Group B of the Constitution; and;

c)        Mrs Judith Tinsley, Head of Colwall CE Primary School as the co-opted primary school representative.

To consider any recent correspondence with SACRE.

None.

To receive an update on plans for supporting teachers in 2014 through the Special School RE day on 29 April 2014, the Secondary School Conference on 19 June 2014 and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Annual SACRE Conference on the 23 June 2014.

SACRE received an updated report on plans for supporting teachers in 2014 through the Special School RE day on 29 April 2014, the Secondary School Conference on 19 June 2014 and the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Annual SACRE Conference on the 23 June 2014.

The RE Advisory reported that an additional three schools were needed to sign up to the 29 April event otherwise it would not be viable, and asked members to pass the information on to other schools. 

The Secondary RE Conference would be held at Puckrup Hall near Tewkesbury on the 19 June, and representatives from the three counties were expected.  Eight teachers had signed up to date and only Woebley High School had so far signed up from Herefordshire. 

The Annual Primary RE Conference would be held at Malvern St James’ Girls School on the 23 June.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

To receive an update on recent national reports and RE initiatives and their implications for the teaching of religious education in Herefordshire schools.

SACRE noted an update on RE Community news.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

To consider the RE Council’s National Curriculum Framework for RE and to inform members in advance of the implications for the next review of the Herefordshire Agreed Syllabus in 2015. 

SACRE received a report on the RE Council’s National Curriculum Framework for RE.  It was noted that SACRE would have to consider reviewing its RE Agreed Syllabus in 2016.  The development of a clear, well-structured agreed syllabus was an important function for SACRE.  The Herefordshire Agreed Syllabus had been praised by Ofsted for meeting the criteria laid down in Ofsted reports in 2010 and 2013.

Councillor Chave volunteered to be involved in an Agreed Syllabus Review Strategy Group, and it was agreed that a meeting would be held in Whitecross School on the 24 June.

Resolved:

That:

a)    The report be noted; and;

b)    a core Strategy Group be set up to make recommendations concerning a review of the Agreed Syllabus for the SACRE meeting in November.  Members would include Mrs K Mayglothling, Miss E James and Mrs S Catlow-Hawkins.

To note that the SACRE Lead Officer will be leaving the Council on the 1 April, and to receive an update on future officer and logistical support for SACRE.

It was noted that Bonnie Griffiths, Deputy Headteacher of the Queen Elizabeth Humanities College in Bromyard would be joining the Council as a School Improvement Officer and would provide support to SACRE.

To note that the dates of the next meetings will be Friday 21 November 2014 and Friday 20 March 2015.

It was noted that the dates of the next meetings was Friday 20 March 2015.