Agenda and minutes

The Director of Governance (City of York Council) introduced the item and sought nominations for Chair. Cllr Cullwick nominated Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair. This was seconded by Olivia Seymour. There were no further nominations. A vote was taken and Cllr Cuthbertson was unanimously elected as Chair.

Resolved: That Cllr Cuthbertson be elected as Chair.

Reason:     In order that there be an elected Chair.

The Chair sought nominations for Chair. Daryoush Mazloum nominated Olivia Seymour as Vice Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Cullwick. Olivia Seymour noted that her role as Chair of the ASC and LA Advisory to SACRE. There were no further nominations. A vote was taken Olivia Seymour was unanimously elected as Vice Chair.

Resolved: That Olivia Seymour be elected as Vice Chair.

Reason:     In order that there be an elected Vice Chair.

Apologies for absence were received and accepted for Kevin Duffy, Ian Hodgson, Claire Hennigan, Ben Rich and Cllr Rowley. Olivia Seymour noted her non prejudicial interest as Vice Chair and as previous interim Chair. There were no further declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous SACRE meetings held on 8 July 2019, 7 January 2020 and 1 July 2020.

Resolved: That the minutes of the previous SACRE meetings held on 8 July 2019, 7 January 2020 and 1 July 2020 be approved as a true and accurate record to be signed by the Chair at a later date.

A verbal update will be given to provide Members with an update on the decisions made at the ASC and the next steps to be taken.

The Vice Chair reported that the ASC had meet and agreed Option A taking into account teacher feedback. Option A was as follows:

Renew licence with RE Today syllabus (model A) plus supplement

The York syllabus was written by RE Today. It has been adopted by a large number of other local authorities, including North Yorkshire, with positive feedback as to its effectiveness. This syllabus provides the minimum for a SACRE / LA to fulfil its legal requirement.The licence renewal would include a slight update to the 2016 syllabus – including new dates, a few corrections and potentially an updated Foreword. It would also include a revised beginning incorporating information on, for example, progression in the light of the new OFSTED EIF, the Commission Report, tighter requirements at KS4 and 5, assessment, and some additional guidance. This would be produced electronically, so that it can be sent around to all schools together with the updated syllabus. SACRE could also provide some local appendices.

The Chair thanked the Vice Chair for her update.

Resolved: That the report from the ASC be received.

Reason:     In order to meet the requirement to set the ASC.

To receive and consider the draft Annual Report. This is a requirement at this meeting in order to meet the national deadline for final approval to send to the Secretary of State.

John Thompson (LA Advisor to SACRE) introduced the draft Annual Report to Members. He explained that the reporting cycle has changed to a calendar year cycle (January to December). He thanked Naomi Watson for her support as the previous Clerk to SACRE and Olivia Seymour for her work in supporting schools and as Interim Chair. He then outlined the content of the draft report.

Resolved: That the Draft Annual Report be received.

Reason:     In order to be kept updated on the information in the Annual Report.

Members will receive a report on the national data for GCSEs and A Levels. This will include a break down from schools compared with the national link to NATRE and REC reports.

John Thompson updated Members on pupil data noting that there would be no published results because of the COVID-19 pandemic and centre assessed grades had been used this year. He added that as the results had not been published the comparable data was not available. He undertook to circulate the analysis of the comparative data when it was available.

[Ben Rich joined the meeting at 17:56]

Resolved: That;

                             i.        The update on National Data be noted.

                            ii.        That when available, the analysis of the comparative data be circulated to Members.

Reason:     In order to be kept updated on National Data.

To receive a report on progress towards the Development Plan.

This was included as part of Section 5 of the Draft Annual Report which had been outlined under that item.

Resolved: That progress towards the Development Plan be noted as part of the update in Section 5 of the Draft Annual Report.

Reason:     In order to be updated on progress towards the Development Plan.

A verbal update will be given on the current context of Ofsted Reports, Local Authority monitoring and SACRE support.

As detailed in Section 3 of the Draft Annual Report, during the period January 2020 to March 2020 Ofsted inspection reports had indicated that the schools inspected appear to be compliant in the statutory provision of RE. There were two inspections in this period, both of primary schools. John Thompson reported that it had not been possible for visits to take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to a Member regarding whether visits could be made on a virtual or remote basis, John Thompson confirmed that this would be possible. Olivia Seymour advised that the regional newsletter had highlighted resources available for schools, and she highlighted this would be particularly useful with the upcoming Interfaith Week.

It was agreed that John Thompson would add a reference to virtual visits replacing actual visits in the draft report, which would be updated and circulated to Members following the October half term holiday. He was asked and confirmed that CoE and Catholic schools both accessed their respective Diocese for information and guidance.

Olivia Seymour noted the statutory duty of SACRE to monitor standards and following discussion it was:

Resolved: That Development Plan and Standards Monitoring would be added as an agenda item for the next meeting.

Reason:     In order that standards continue to be monitored.

[Cllr Fitzpatrick left the meeting at 18:13]

To receive a report detailing NASACRE updates.

John Thompson updated Members on national RE and Collective Worship as detailed in Section 4 of the Draft Annual Report. 

Members were encouraged to engage with RE leaders in schools. Brenda Christison reported that the Diocesan RE network meeting that had taken place the previous evening was well attended. Olivia Seymour gave an update on the remaining funding for Learn Teach Lead RE and she reported that this would be used for a Hindu workshop this term and towards the RE Conference in 2021.Olivia Seymour updated Members on NASACRE work on collective worship.

Resolved: That the national RE and Collective Worship be noted.

Reason:     In order to be kept updated on national RE and Collective Worship developments.

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

It was reported that there had been no complaints to SACRE.

Resolved: That Members be updated on complaints.

Reason:     In order to be kept updated on complaints to SACRE and determinations of complaints.

There were no items under urgent business.

4 November at 4.30pm or 2 December at 4.30pm

Wednesday 2 December at 4.30pm.