SACRE considered a report concerning feedback from the primary and secondary conferences in 2017 and preparation for the conferences in 2018. The Chairman introduced the item and thanked Whitecross School for hosting the event. The conferences were commended for their content but it was acknowledged that attendance would need to improve for the conferences in 2018.

SACRE considered how attendance could be improved and the following suggestions were proposed:

·         Holding the conferences in after school hours, after 3.00 p.m. was suggested to avoid the need for cover for teachers in attendance;

·         It was debated whether the Summer term was the best term in which to hold the conferences. After due consideration it was felt that the Summer term was the appropriate term as it was timed to take place ahead of the new school year; the conferences in 2018 were scheduled for 19 June. 

·         A further suggestion concerning the timings of the conferences involved the events taking place during twilight hours.

·         It was agreed that the primary conference would take place during the afternoon at a session to begin at 1.00 p.m. and end at 5.00 p.m.

·         A question regarding the new timings of the session would be included as part of the assessment at the conferences.

·         As part of the conference it was suggested that a ‘state of the nation’ address was included in the programme to allow for national updates to be provided to attendees. 

It was confirmed that the proposed programme for the secondary conferences in 2018 would be finalised in December 2017 when it would be circulated to SACRE.

SACRE agreed that, to attempt to resolve the issue of low attendance at the conferences, the primary conference in 2018 should take place in the afternoon.

Resolved: It was agreed that the primary conference in 2018 should be timed to take place in the afternoon.