Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received and accepted for Penny Coppin-Siddall, Kirsty Wordsworth, Taco Michiels and Cllr Fitzpatrick.

There were no declarations of interest.

[Karen Vincent joined the meeting at 18.04].

To approve the minutes of the previous SACRE meetings held on 22 June 2022 and 29 November 2022.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous SACRE meetings held on 22 June 2022 and 29 November 2022 be carried forward for approval at the meeting to be held on 1 February 2023.

Reason:     In order to approve the minutes.

To approve the SACRE Annual Report 2021-22.

Maxine Squire explained that the meeting had been convened to approve the SACRE Annual Report 2021-22. This was not possible as the meeting was not quorate. She reported that nationally there were some delays in the signing off of SACRE Annual Reports as some Key Stage 4 (KS4) and KS5 results were not available.

[Cllr Rowley joined the meeting at 18.07].

With reference to future meetings operating as hybrid meetings, Members were advised that this was possible but there would first need to be a quorate physical meeting to agree the proposed change. The Clerk undertook to check whether Councillors in Group D would be able to attend future meetings virtually. Olivia Seymour noted that a number of SACREs held virtual meetings. A Member noted that SACRE was an Outside Body. Maxine Squire thanked Cllr Cuthbertson, former SACRE Chair, for his input into the report. She added that KS4 and KS5 needed adding to the report.

Maxine Squire gave an update on Group B membership, noting that this was made by the Diocese of York Board of Education. Olivia Seymour noted that the new Group B Member should be confirmed by the end of the week.

Regarding the Agreed Syllabus, a Member asked what the difference between schools that followed the Agreed Syllabus and those that adopted it. Olivia Seymour explained that schools maintained by the local authority adopted the Agreed Syllabus and schools not maintained by the local authority (for example Academies) must follow an Agreed Syllabus.

Resolved: That the SACRE Annual Report 2021-22 be approved at the next meeting.

Reason:     In order for the Annual Report to be submitted to NASACRE and the DfE.

To consider the monitoring of standards in RE.

Maxine Squire explained that a programme of monitoring visits was being developed and as part of this she had looked at how this was undertaken by other SACREs. She noted that SACREs provided supportive visits to highlight values of best practice and SACRE could also invite schools to get involved in monitoring visits. It was reported that Andy Tod (Ralph Butterfield Primary School) had offered to pilot SACRE visits and Maxine Squire had suggested a cycle of visits for the year with a view to developing a model for the 2024 academic year. She would also be working with Taco Michiels on visits to Archbishop Holgate’s School. She suggested visits to Clifton Green Primary School (who had recently had an Ofsted deep Dive RE visit) and Huntington School. Olivia Seymour advised Members of SACRE’s statutory duty to monitor RE in all maintained schools in the local authority.

Maxine Squire informed Members that there would be an opportunity to for them to take part in monitoring visits on a rolling basis to increase their understanding on how RE is delivered in schools and there would be training on this at the next SACRE meeting on 1 February 2023. Members were invited to a SACRE monitoring visit to Ralph Butterfield Primary School on 23 February at 1.30pm.

Members discussed the format of visits to schools. It was suggested that a protocol for SACRE monitoring visits be examined at the next meeting. A Member suggested that the protocol for link governor visits could be used as a framework for this. Maxine Square thanked Liz Clark, Headteacher at Ralph Butterfield Primary School for her help in organising SACRE visits to the school. Members noted that visits to schools would be useful for the Agreed Syllabus Conference. From a teacher perspective, Andy Tod noted the importance of the visits being framed from a supportive perspective.

Resolved: That SACRE Monitoring Visits to Schools be considered as part of training on SACRE visits to schools on 1 February 2023.

Reason: In order to monitor RE standards.

To consider the training of SACRE Members on visits to schools to see how RE curriculums are being delivered.

Olivia Seymour outlined the format of school visits training for SACRE Members on 1 February. Members were encouraged to contact her with suggestions for the training session. It was suggested that communication with school staff could be included in the training. A Group D Member noted that elected Members had an induction programme and he suggested that SACRE training could be included as part of this. It was suggested that SACRE Induction be included as an agenda item for a future meeting.

Resolved: That SACRE Members contact Olivia Seymour with suggestions for the SACRE training on school visits on 1 February 2023.

Reason: In order to inform the training session.

To review of the implications of the ONS data on collective worship. The briefing from the Religion and Media Centre on the census results can be viewed at: https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/rmc-briefings/briefing-impact-of-census-results-on-religion-and-belief/

The York ONS data can be viewed at:  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/bulletins/religionenglandandwales/census2021

Members considered the implications of the ONS data on collective worship. The briefing from the Religion and Media Centre on the census results and the York ONS data were available to view online. Members noted that the majority of respondents in York identified as Christian or non-religious and noted a need to be cautious about minorities. A Member added that SACRE had a responsibility to non-religious pupils and it was suggested that whilst the Agreed Sylllabus had made in roads, it did not reflect non-religious world views and a request for a commitment from SACRE was made on this. Members were informed that this could only agreed at a quorate meeting.

[Ben Rich left at 18.50].

Olivia Seymour suggested that she could run a training session on Humanism and she undertook to look at some dates for this. A Member requested a commitment from SACRE for the Agreed Syllabus to reflect non-religious world views. This was agreed as an item for the 1 February meeting. The Chair noted that it would be useful for schools to look at the ONS data in their catchment areas.

Resolved: That the ONS results on religious belief be noted.

Reason: To be kept up to data on religious belief.

To consider items for future meetings.

Resolved: That commitment from SACRE for the Agreed Syllabus to reflect non-religious world views be added as an agenda item for the 1 February meeting.

Reason: In order to keep the work plan up to date.

None.

1 February 2023 at 6.00pm in the Hudson room at West Offices

Wednesday 1 February 2023 at 6.00pm in the Hudson room at West Offices.