Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members]

Apologies for absence were received and noted for Karen Vincent, Mark Jones, Fleur Kennedy and Cllr Rowley. Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. There were none.

[Penny Coppin-Siddall arrived at 6.03pm]

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 15 May and 15 July 2025.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Resolved: That the minutes of the meetings held on 15 May 2025 and 15 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Matters arising: Maxine Squire reported that the next school visit would be on 26 November 2025 to Joseph Rowntree School. Cllr Knight and Ben Rich undertook to attend the visit. Following a question from a Member regarding the informal meeting, Maxine Squire noted that she would send out an update. It was noted that the Chair had visited York Mosque and he noted that the informal meeting had been arranged to address flag flying and how SACRE could support RE teachers.

To receive an update on the 2025 school survey.

Maxine Squire reported that the School Survey focussed on a review of the Agreed Syllabus and areas where RE teachers needed additional support. She noted that there had been increased and more detailed responses due to the survey being online. She added that responses had been received from 7 out of 9 secondary schools and 18 primary schools and there had been a lot of support for the Agreed Syllabus with some suggested changes. Teachers also responded that they felt confident in teaching RE. The results showed that the demography of RE teachers was white British and a third were Christian, a third were of no faith and there was a younger demographic. The results also showed Christianity and Islam being the faiths taught in schools and teachers noted that they would benefit from more curriculum resources. The two teacher SACRE members were asked and explained their experience of teaching the Agreed Syllabus and Diocesan curriculum in their respective schools.

Resolved:   That the contact lists, core offer and links to trusted sources of information would be updated.

Reason:     Ti ensure the information was up to date.

To review the SACRE development plan. The plan is shaped around the five key functions of SACREs contained in the NASACRE Self-Evaluation Toolkit.

Stephen Pett, RE Advisor at RE Today, whose syllabus was used by York SACRE, was introduced to members. Maxine Squire confirmed that the current Agreed Syllabus could be extended. Stephen Pett explained that RE Today was a charity and that York had used the RE Today syllabus since 2016. He outlined the Agreed Syllabus options from RE Today as being Option 1 the systematic approach and Option 2 the religion and world views approach. He detailed what was contained in each of their curriculum and the feedback from Gloucestershire schools using the Option 2 syllabus.

Stephen Pett was asked and confirmed that there could be a modernised version of the thematic approach. He was also asked and explained that the world view approach allowed for some thematic approach. A Member noted concern in moving away from what teachers said that they like as shown in the feedback from the school survey. A member asked if SACRE could have a third options for a modernised syllabus as well as Options 1 and 2.

Members discussed the Agreed Syllabus Conference, with Stephen Pett advising that RE Today could extend the licence by a year and that they could look at amendments to the current Agreed Syllabus. Following discussion, it was;

Resolved:  

1.    That the Agreed Syllabus be delayed by a year.

2.    At the January meeting look at options for the Agreed Syllabus with Stephen Pett in attendance.

3.    The Chair to email members for their views on the Agreed Syllabus

Reason:      To renew the Agreed Syllabus.

To receive an update from Interfaith.

Penny Coppin-Siddall noted that SACRE working with York Interfaith would be an opportunity to look at unity. Maxine Squire agreed to circulate their newsletter to York schools.

To find out if RE teachers have space to talk about unity in RE lessons.

The Chair explained that he wanted unity to be part of the syllabus and the new syllabus would be an opportunity to address unity between communities. A member asked if schools could be asked about how they were dealing with the issues with flags and Maxine Squire explained that schools had been finding the situation very difficult with maintained Headteachers needing be careful and supportive around discussions regarding flag. The Chair noted that he was working with York Mosque regarding engagement with school. Following discussion the Chair noted that clarity was needed on what schools were doing and how SACRE could support them.

Resolved:   That Maxine Squire to ask schools about their approach to the flag flying at the Schools Forum meeting and following day and feedback to members at the next SACRE meeting.

Reason:      For SACRE to see how it could support schools.

This can be found at https://mailchi.mp/f24f511a2f0e/6g3v9uvmy6-10592552?e=da7db1e3e7

The latest NASACRE briefing was noted.

A verbal update will be given on complaints received and the determinations in respect of those complaints.

It was noted that no complaints had been received, and no determinations submitted. It was noted that headteachers would be reminded of their duties in relation to RE and the need to submit determinations to SACRE.

It was agreed that the Chair and Maxine Squire would meet to discuss the Development Plan.

Maxine Squire reported that a Headteacher had reported an increase in parents withdrawing their children RE and she undertook to remind schools about the process for withdrawing children from RE.

January date tbc

10 March 2026 at 6.00pm at West Offices

21 April 2026 at 6.00pm at West Offices

January date tbc

10 March 2026 at 6.00pm at West Offices

21 April 2026 at 6.00pm at West Offices