To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr. Mrs W.U. Attfield, Cllr. P.E. Harling, Mr Z. Pandor and Rev. I. Terry.

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

There were no named substitutes.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7th March, 2005.

RESOLVED: That subject to recording in Minute No 40 – Religious Education Co-ordinators Meeting – Update - that Mr J. Rendal was involved in the Co-ordinators meeting held 30th November 2004, the minutes of the meeting held 7th March 2005, be approved and signed by the Chairman.

To answer any pre-received written questions from members of the public.

No written questions had been received.

To update SACRE on the further representation of Other Faith Groups on SACRE.

The Consultant for RE reported that, following consultation with the Head of School Effectiveness, an approach had been made to P Matharu and H. Singh who were of the Sikh faith and work in the Council’s IT section concerning their possible future involvement in SACRE.  It was proposed that they be invited to make a presentation to the March 2006 meeting on the Sikh faith.

RESOLVED: That P. Matharu and H Singh be invited to give a presentation on the Sikh faith to the March 2006 meeting.

To receive the draft Guidance to Primary Schools on Collective Worship and consider a proposed process and outline timetable for its confirmation, printing and issue to schools and a subsequent training programme for teachers.

(Note: copies of the draft Guidance will be issued at the meeting.)

Mr J. Rendall circulated copies of the draft “Finding Treasure – A Guide for Inspirational Worship in Herefordshire Schools” for initial consideration by SACRE.

He reported that the Working Party had collated the draft guidance now circulated and apologised that it hadn’t been produced to the intended timetable.  He circulated a proposed revised timetable and highlighted a number of issues for consideration.

SACRE briefly considered the draft guidance and proposed revised timetable and agreed that Members would consider the guidance and forward any comments directly to Mr Rendall by the 31st January 2006.  These would be received and considered by the Working Party and then included in the final version of the Guide. The final version, together with proposals for the cover design and production, would be presented to the 20th March 2006 SACRE meeting for approval.

SACRE suggested that greater prominence be given in the acknowledgements to Angela Daniels, St. Paul’s C.E. Primary School, in recognition of her work in chairing the Working Party.

The Committee Officer (Scrutiny) would ensure that absent members received a copy of the draft Guidance together with a note concerning the receipt of comments.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and a final version of the Guidance together with production proposals be submitted to the 20th March 2006 meeting.

To discuss the attendance of Key Stage 3 students at a proposed talk to be given by the Chief Executive of Liberal Judaim.

Mr M. Rollnick reported that the Chief Executive of Liberal Judaism would be visiting Herefordshire in June 2006 to give an evening talk to the local Council of Christian Jews and that during his visit to the County he was willing to also give a talk to school children on Judaism.

Mr Rollnick reported that while the initial proposal had been for Rabbi Daniel Rich to give a talk to Key Stage 3 pupils on the teaching and meaning of Judaism, Rabbi Rich was open to suggestions on the best use of his availability.

SACRE were pleased to accept the offer from Rabbi Rich and debated a number of options.  From initial discussion SACRE acknowledged the difficulty, and cost, of getting a large number of pupils to attend a talk/seminar type function.  It was also felt that greater benefit would be gained from being in smaller groups.  SACRE therefore proposed that Ms Mayglothling, Mr Rollnick and Mr Rendall meet to consider the following for suggestion to the local Council of Christian Jews:

·         A morning session be given at a rural secondary school and that primary RE co-ordinators from the locale also be invited to attend.

·         A similar session be arranged for the afternoon in a City Secondary School.

·         A twilight session be arranged for all RE Co-coordinators/teachers.

RESOLVED: That Ms Mayglothling, Mr Rollnick and Mr Rendall consider the options discussed and liaise with the local Council of Christian Jews over the format for the proposed talk/seminars.

To receive a report on the 2005 Herefordshire SACRE Annual Conference, held on 29th September, 2005 at the Hedley Lodge, Belmont Abbey, Hereford and discuss outline proposals for the 2006 Annual Conference.

SACRE received a report on the 2005 SACRE Annual Conference held at Hedley Lodge, Belmont Abbey, Hereford on 29th September, 2005.

SACRE congratulated the RE Consultant on yet another very successful Conference.

The Consultant for RE reported that the event had been successful and that SACRE had been fortunate to get nationally acclaimed speakers.  While the intention was that the event was expected to be self-financing she expressed some concern for future events.

SACRE debated the merits of hosting an Annual Conference and decided that it was a valuable element in the co-ordination and profile of Religious Education in the County.  Teachers commented upon the valuable level of discussion on current issues and the practical ideas they took back to schools from the event.

It was noted that an excellent report with photographs on the Conference had been published by James Perfect, a Marches Consortium RE Trainee Teacher, on the RE Teacher Web site at http://www.reteachers.com.

SACRE recommended that the Local Education Authority (LEA) continue the SACRE Annual Conference.

SACRE discussed outline proposals for the 2006 Annual Conference and the following two main themes were suggested: the introduction of the new Agreed Syllabus and Values Education.

It was suggested that consideration be given to the Conference being held during the afternoon and early evening thereby enabling more teachers to attend after school.

In view of the lead time needed to organise the Conference it was suggested that, to progress the arrangements, the Chairman convey the views of SACRE (the themes, timing and other administrative arrangements) at his meeting with the Head of School Improvement and the RE Consultant on 13th December 2005.

RESOLVED: That

a)      It be recommended to the LEA that the SACRE Annual Conference continue;

b)     The suggested themes, timing and other administrative issues for the 2006 Conference be further considered and progressed at the Chairman’s meeting with the Head of School Improvement and the RE Consultant scheduled for 13th December, 2005; and

c)      A report on the proposals for the 2006 Annual Conference be made to the March 2006 meeting.

To note the involvement of two representatives from SACRE in the Herefordshire Joint Area Review of Services (JARS) for Children and Younger People.

SACRE noted that during the Herefordshire Joint Area Review of Services (JARS) for Children and Young People Mr M. Rollnick and Mrs J. Mackley, RE Consultant, had been interviewed as part of the inspection process.  It was believed the theme of the interviews had been based on the Council’s policy towards diversity in the County.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To note a report on the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE) Annual General Meeting held April 2005.

SACRE noted a report on the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE) Annual General meeting held April 2005.

Rev. I. Terry had attended the AGM on behalf of SACRE and submitted a short report on the theme of the meeting.

The Committee Officer (Scrutiny) drew Members attention to the summer edition of SACRE News (copies of which had been circulated), which included articles on the AGM and the address by Mr John Keast to the Faith Forum on “Clever devils and how to avoid them” referred to in Rev Terry’s report.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To comment on the draft SACRE Annual Report for the academic year September 2004 to July 2005 prior to submission to QCA.

(Note: the draft report has been circulated separately to Members.)

SACRE considered the draft SACRE Annual Report for the academic year September 2004 to July 2005 prior to submission to QCA.

The Committee Officer (Scrutiny) presented the draft Annual Report, copies having been distributed to Members with the agenda.  It was noted that a “forward” by the Chairman would be included prior to publication.

The Committee Officer (Scrutiny) circulated draft statistics and commentary on the RE examinations 2005.  SACRE raised a number of technical questions concerning the statistics i.e. the type of exams available, the number of pupils taking exams compared with the number of schools, which would be referred to the Head of School Effectiveness for clarification.

SACRE appreciated that the statistics were required for the Annual Report and following clarification by the Head of School Effectiveness and consultation with the Chairman, authorised the Clerk to include revised basic statistical information in the Annual Report.  SACRE did however, request the LEA to produce a comprehensive report and presentation, to the March 2006 meeting on the result of RE examinations in Herefordshire, including any historical and national data so that a meaningful comparison can be made.

RESOLVED: That

a)      subject to the inclusion of revised statistical data on RE examinations in Herefordshire schools and final proof reading the SACRE Annual Report for the academic year September 2004 to July 2005 be submitted to QCA and;

b)     a comprehensive report and presentation be made to the March 2006 meeting on the result of RE examinations in Herefordshire.