To elect the chairperson of the agreed syllabus conference.

Councillor John Stone opened the meeting as the outgoing Chairperson of the agreed syllabus conference and explained that the meeting of the agreed syllabus conference had been moved to 2.00 p.m. The meeting of SACRE would now follow the meeting of the agreed syllabus conference.

Councillor John Stone proposed Lama Choesang as Chairperson of the agreed syllabus conference which was seconded by Councillor Jennie Hewitt. The appointment of Lama Choesang was agreed unanimously by the agreed syllabus conference for the remainder of the current council term, until May 2023.

RESOLVED: That Lama Choesang is appointed the Chairperson of the agreed syllabus conference until May 2023.

There were no apologies received from members of the agreed syllabus conference. Kate Maygothling provided her apologies for the meeting.

There were no named substitutes.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2019.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 15 March 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting on 15 March 2019 are agreed as a correct record.

To consider the results of the consultation conducted with teachers in respect of the religious education syllabus options and agree which option to progress.

The agreed syllabus conference considered a report by the RE consultant to select a syllabus option to progress for production. Stephen Pett, RE consultant introduced the report and explained that at the previous meeting the agreed syllabus conference had agreed that a bespoke syllabus would not be pursued due to the cost implications. The two remaining options for the new syllabus consisted of the renewal of the current syllabus with supplements or the introduction of another ‘off the shelf’ syllabus, currently used in Gloucestershire, which provided a systematic approach to the teaching of RE and sought to examine religions in detail. The RE consultant provided a summary of the consultation conducted with teachers concerning the two options; there had been a mixed response but the majority of teachers had supported the introduction of the new model.

During the debate, members of the agreed syllabus conference considered the following points:

·         The syllabus contained in option B complemented the approach at GCS;

·         Option B was compatible with the Ofsted framework;

·         The syllabus should contain local details regarding religions and places pof worship in Herefordshire;

·         There was scope in option B for the discussion of non-religious world views including humanism;

·         Understanding Christianity was compatible with option B.

Lou Barker proposed that option B be progress to production which was seconded by Councillor John Stone and agreed unanimously by the agreed syllabus conference.

RESOLVED: That syllabus option B is approved for progression to production.