Agenda and minutes

The Director or Governance welcomed all to the first meeting of the academic year. She invited nominations for Chair. Cllr Fitzpatrick was nominated as Chair by Daryoush Mazloum. This was seconded by Imam Mirazam. Cllr Hunter nominated Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair. This was seconded by Ian Hodgson. Cllrs Fitzpatrick and Cuthbertson gave an overview of their background in order to aid Members in appointing a Chair and both left the room at 6.07pm while a vote was taken.

The meeting adjourned at 6.07pm for Members to meet in their Groups and appoint a Chair. The meeting reconvened at 5.16pm.

Each Group appointed a spokesperson to inform the Council of their chosen appointment. This was reported as follows:

Group A agreed Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair.

Group B agreed Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair.

Group C agreed Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair.

Group D agreed Cllr Cuthbertson as Chair.

Cllr Cuthbertson was unanimously appointed as Chair. Cllrs Fitzpatrick and Cuthbertson re-joined the meeting at 6.18pm. The Director of Governance informed them of Cllr Cuthbertson’s appointment as Chair for the forthcoming year.

Resolved: That Cllr Cuthbertson be appointed as Chair for one year.

Reason: To ensure the appointment of SACRE Chair.

The Director of Governance invited nominations from Groups A, B and C for Vice Chair. There were no nominations. There were no nominations. It was agreed that each Group would consider nominations for Vice Chair before the next meeting in January 2022. Cllr Fitzpatrick congratulated Cllr Cuthbertson on his appointment as Chair.

Cllr Cuthbertson then took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting. He welcomed Taco Michiels, teacher at Joseph Rowntree School as a Member of Group C. The Chair then welcomed Members to the meeting.

Ben Rich reported that there would be Jewish exhibit opening at York Castle Museum on 25 November 2021 and was asked and agreed to send details of the exhibit to Members.

Resolved: That the appointment of Vice Chair be carried forward to the next meeting.

Reason: To ensure the appointment of a Vice Chair.

Apologies for absence were received and accepted for Cllr Rowley and Kate Bailey. There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous SACRE meeting held on 29 June 2021.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2021 be agreed as a correct record and were signed by the Chair.

To receive an update on the progress from the Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer.

The Director of Governance asked Members to consider the Constitution. She advised that it was good practice to have a have the review of the Constitution in the SACRE meetings framework. Members were invited to ask questions or make comments regarding the Constitution. There were none.

Resolved: That the Constitution be recommended for approval by Council.

Reason: In order to update the Constitution and confirm SACRE’s position within it.

To report that the Annual Report will be drafted using the new DFE template.

Olivia Seymour reported that this year revised guidance had been provided with an expectation of what should be included in the Annual Report. She advised that the report needed to be submitted to the DfE by the end of the calendar year. It was confirmed that Olivia Seymour and Maxine Squire would be attending training on the new guidance and following this, a draft report would be forwarded to Members via the Clerk.

Olivia Seymour noted that the teacher questionnaires would be sent out to all schools and the framework would provide some help for other areas for SACRE’s monitoring of development.

Resolved: That the update on the Draft Annual Report be noted.

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

Members will receive an update 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.

Maxine Squire explained that there was no national data and noted the accompanying workforce data supported the national data. This was provided to Members. She advised that schools needed to report to the DfE Census, which had been completed by all schools. She added that some school shad been able to increase the amount of time available for RE.

Olivia Seymour noted the SACRE had a responsibility to ensure that schools are compliant and part of this role included asking questions to Officer. She suggested that this could be brought back to a future meeting. In response to a question from a Member, Olivia explained that the primary school data could be looked at through Ofsted reports.

Resolved: That the update on the National Data be noted.

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

[Imam Mirazam left the meeting at 6.43pm.]

To receive a report on progress towards the Development Plan.

It was confirmed that the draft Development Plan would be brought to the next meeting. The importance of bringing the voice of children and young people to the meeting was noted and it was suggested that there could be a Youth SACRE which would bring a strength to monitoring in schools.

[Imam Mirazam returned to the meeting at 6.45pm.]

A Member welcomed this and suggested that the subject of anti-racism could be reflected in the Development Plan. Maxine Squire noted that schools would need to think carefully about equality and diversity and noted the importance of young peoples’ voice in faith.

Olivia Seymour noted that the overview of the Agreed Syllabus had been included in the agenda pack and she noted the need for SACRE to consider how it supported schools with Ofsted conversations. A Member requested that non-religious world views also be reflected in the Development Plan. Imam Mirazam asked for guidance for Imams. It was noted that Interfaith York had supported the Imam and that there was new national guidance on visits which would be circulated to the Imam.

Resolved: That the progress towards Development Plan be noted.

Reason: In order to be kept up to date on progress towards Development Plan

[Imam Mirazam and Ian Hodgson left the meeting at 6.55pm]

To receive a report detailing NASACRE updates.

Olivia Seymour informed Members of the work of Interfaith York as part of Interfaith Week. Penny Coppin-Siddall noted that it was hoped that some of Interfaith Week would be delivered in person and that the competition could be carried forward to the 2022 Interfaith Week. It was agreed that interfaith week would be included as an agenda item for the spring and summer meeting agendas.

Olivia Seymour suggested that there could be a SACRE newsletter 2-3 times a year and advised Members of free training. She added that schools would be planning their activities during Interfaith Weeks via their RE curriculums. Olivia Seymour drew Member’ attention to anti-racism training. She was asked and confirmed that Members could attend this training and invited them to email her about this.

Resolved: That the National RE and Collective Worship updates be noted.

Reason: In order to be kept up to date on National RE and Collective Worship updates.

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

Olivia Seymour confirmed the procedure for handing 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.

None.

11 January 2022 at 5.00pm

To be confirmed by the Clerk when York Interfaith meeting dates confirmed.