Agenda and draft minutes

To welcome Susan Guiver (Humanist) and Professor Avtar Matharu (Sikh) to SACRE Group A.

Susan Guiver and Avtar Matharu were welcomed to SACRE. Introductions were made. The Chair explained the Groups on SACRE.

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 Dee Boyle, Mark Jones, Tont Lawton, Fleur Kennedy and Cllrs Rowley and Wilson. 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.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 14 October 2025 (attached) and 10 March 2026 (to follow).

Matters arising: Maxine Squire reported that as the meeting was not quorate, she would share the Annual Report with the Diocesan Director of Education for the Diocese of York to sign off the report.

It was reported that York Interfaith had done an information sheet for schools and requested support from SACRE with printing. It was suggested that there could be one sheet per school. It was confirmed that York Interfaith would be happy for their information sheet to be included on the SACRE webpage.

The Vice Chair review of the community cohesion strategy was deferred and agreed as an agenda item for the next meeting. It was noted that the Vice Chair had raised the Faith Covenant at the last meeting and that the Chair had been approached about creating a Faith Covenant in York. The Chair had asked for evidence of the requirement for a Covenant in York. It was noted that York was a City of Sanctuary. It was suggested that FaithAction (requesting the Faith Covenant) be sent the faith indicator report.

To approve the SACRE Annual Report.

It was confirmed that the report would be sent to the Diocese of York for sign off.

To receive an update from Interfaith.

It was reported that as well as the information sheet for schools, York Interfaith were reviewing their Constitution. It was explained that there was a consultation on 15 May looking at the work of Interfaith and whether a new national body for Interfaith should be developed. It was noted that there was a need to strengthen Interfaith. Regarding the information sheet for schools, Maxine Squire undertook to send it to schools electronically to get their feedback on it.

To receive an update on the teacher engagement plan.

Maxine Squire gave a verbal update on the development plan. It was noted that Karen Vincent and Taco Michiels had begun to discuss what meaningfully teachers would like from SACRE. It was noted that there was no RE network in York Schools. Maxine Squire noted that it would be useful for RE teachers to visit other schools and she added that the Headteacher of All Saints Catholic School had explained that a barrier to visiting school was the cost of teacher release and she had asked SACRE to support the cost of teacher release. It was suggested that the RE network could

be brought back. Maxine Squire noted that she would look at putting together a network group. It was suggested that teacher visits could last half a day.

During discussion it was clarified that inset days could not be used for school visits as were used for entire staff training. Following a question from a member Maxine Squire explained what RE Hubs did. Maxine Squire, Karen Vincent and Taco Michiels agreed to meet to discuss teacher engagement and it was agreed that re Leads from two maintained schools would be invited to take part in the discussion. The RE Hubs summer time newsletter was included in the agenda pack for Members’ information and they were asked to provide feedback on the newsletter.

Latest news and updates from NASCARE.

Members noted the content of NASACRE News Issue 3.

To provide feedback on the visit.

Maxine Squire reported that a formal letter of thanks for the visit (attended by herself, Taco Michiels, Karen Vincent and Dee Boyle and John, delegate from North Yorkshire Humanists) had been sent to Mr Hewitt, Headteacher at Joseph Rowntree School. SACRE recorded its thanks to Mr Hewitt and Taco Michiels. Maxine gave an overview of the visit. She noted that she had spoken to young people on the visit and they shared that they enjoyed RE. She noted that other GCSEs were prioritised over GCSE RE and she added that there were increasing numbers of doing RE at A Level at that school. She explained that the school focussed on moral values as part of the social development of young people. Taco Michiels noted that he enjoyed the visit and he explained that Year 9 and 10 did core RE. He noted that it was good to talk to students and Maxine Squire thanked young people for the visits to Year 7 and Year 9 lessons. Taco Michiels explained that A Level RE took on a more sociological approach than GCSE RE. Maxine Squire undertook to share the thankyou letter with SACRE.

Members considered a SACRE meeting involving young people and they were asked to approach their congregations and organisations regarding another SACRE meeting with young people. It was agreed as an agenda item at the next meeting and that SACRE would pay for pizzas at the meeting. Penny Coppin-Siddall confirmed that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be happy to host the meeting. The Mansion House was suggested as a venue for the meeting and Maxine Squire undertook to contact the Civic Office regarding the possibility of a meeting there. The Chair noted that the venue for the meeting would need to be accessible and he explained the previous SACRE event with young people, which was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Maxine Squire was asked and confirmed that she would arrange a SACRE visit to Huntington School (secondary school).

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 all schools had been emailed to remind them of their duties in relation to RE and the need to submit determinations to SACRE.

It was reported that Picture News had sent out a resource to schools regarding the Middle East. SACRE were asked for their views on it. Taco Michiels noted that his school used Picture News. Maxine Squire was asked and explained that it was for primary through to Key Stage 3 and was abut social cohesions. The Chair noted that he was happy for it to be shared with schools for them to decide if they wanted to use it. This was supported by Members.

Regarding the consultation on RE in schools, it was the understanding of Maxine Squire and Taco Michiels that it would become part of the Humanities. It was noted that the Imam needed changing to Imam Ammar.

16 June 2026 at 6.00pm at West Offices

16 June 2026 at 6.00pm