To welcome members to SACRE and receive a thought for the day.

The Chair welcomed members and gave the thought for the day.

Apologies were received from Peter Fawcett and Jonathan Nicholas.

There were no named substitutes.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th November 2023. Any matters arising.

The Board unanimously approved the minutes for the meeting held on 17 November 2023.

No public questions were received.

To elect the chairperson of SACRE.

Councillor John Stone proposed that Geoff Sallis be elected as Chairperson of SACRE. Councillor Justine Peberdy seconded the proposal. The proposal was carried unanimously.

Resolved: That the Board elect Geoff Sallis as the chairperson of SACRE for the remainder of the term until May 2027.

To follow up on SACRE finances from last meeting.

Councillor Justine Peberdy noted that she had contacted Malcolm Green in relation to SACRE finances. The main points included:

1.     The schools forum had agreed for 23/24, £8,100 for SACRE which included £500 for training.

2.     For 24/25, the amount agreed is £10,000 which again includes £500 for training.

3.     The annual increases in the budget should be rolled forward for future years to be spent on the syllabus review which comes every five years.

4.     The training budget of £500 will be a permanent inclusion in the budget going forward.

The Chair confirmed that the training budget is for NASACRE online training.

Louise Tanner confirmed that the budget for the following year of 24/25 is £10,000.

An update and discussion on Herefordshire School Workforce data.

The Board considered the questionnaire included in the agenda pack.

Lou Barker asked if the questionnaire could be sent out on behalf of SACRE by the council.

Louise Tanner responded that it could be sent out by the schools team, however, it would go out more generally to the school headteachers.

To discuss the SACRE constitution.

It was confirmed that the SACRE constitution is in place in line with the council’s constitution.

Mark Harrington asked whether voting rights are in place for anyone who could attend meetings virtually.

It was confirmed that voting rights are only reserved for SACRE members who attend in-person as per statutory requirements.

An update on National SACRE news.

Stephen Pett presented a brief overview of National SACRE news.

Councillor Justine Peberdy asked how SACRE members should attend the NASACRE training.

Stephen Pett responded that the training is on the 26^th June and is available for SACRE members to book to attend the session.

To receive details of the 2024 Primary and Secondary RE conferences.

Stephen Pett presented a brief overview on the 2024 Primary and Secondary RE conferences. This included an outline of plans for the Herefordshire Primary RE Conference on 1^st July at the Hereford Academy. An update was also presented on the Three Counties Secondary RE Conference on 25^th June at Puckrup Hall Hotel.

To consider how primary and secondary schools can be supported.

The Chair asked members if they could consider how they could get involved with schools and noted that he gives humanist talks at schools.

Tracy Westlake noted that schools are in need of additional support.

Lou Barker asked if it would be helpful to come up with a document that outlines what SACRE members can offer and whether this could be communicated to schools.

Tracy Westlake responded that this would be very helpful for her and other schools.

Louise Tanner added that the LA can get that information out to schools once it is collated. Spotlight is a round-up of information that goes out to all schools and it could be included in there.

Councillor Justine Peberdy noted that the Spirited Arts competition was a useful way for her to get her name out in relation to additional support that can be provided by SACRE members.

Louise Tanner added that chairs of governors have termly online meetings for maintained schools and asked whether someone from SACRE could provide an update at one of these meetings.

To be presented by Tracy Westlake.

Tracy Westlake noted that at the last network meeting in the Autumn term, there were 37 primary schools booked on. All meetings are held online to allow schools from Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Worcester can attend and is held between 3.45-4.30pm. The main points included:

1.     ECT training was discussed and it is apparent that, depending on the provider they have done, they don’t always have an in-depth training on RE, whether it is in practice or in research.

2.     Ideas were shared on visual learning and how to use that within RE lessons, linked to the curriculum.

3.     The RE hubs website was looked at and there is a section on ‘real people, real faith’ which looks at a diverse range of lived experiences.

4.     Multi-disciplinary lenses were considered including looking at the main three disciplines of theology, philosophy, and science.

The Chair thanked Tracy Westlake and requested that it be kept as a standing item on SACRE meeting agendas.

The Chair noted that he had a short guide to SACRE and this would be circulated to all members following the meeting.

ACTION(s): To keep ‘Teacher Support (Network Meetings)’ as a standing item on all future SACRE meeting agendas and; to circulate a short guide to SACREs to members.

The next scheduled meeting is 5^th July 2024, 14:00-17:00.

The next scheduled meeting is 5^th July 2024, 14:00-17:00.