Agenda and minutes

A reflection was given by Cllr Debbie Andre

Apologies were given by Muhammed Bahar, Stuart Brenchley, Simon Bligh, Beth Feltham, Sue Rogers, Nick Wilde and Janice Willmott

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

None were received.

1.    1.To confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2023

2.    To discuss any actions from the minutes

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2023 be approved.

ACTIONS arising from the minutes:

It was reported that Chris May was unable to attend this SACRE meeting but would be invited to the 16 October 2023 meeting. It was planned to also invite all the RE Leaders to this meeting.

The Governor Training that had been scheduled for the 11 July 2023 was going ahead but this meeting was now going to be on-line as it was advised that by holding the meeting virtually, there was the potential of more governors attending.

It was stated that a lot of work had been undertaken in trying to replace members who had resigned, and that the membership of the SACRE was in a much healthier place.

Links were being made with the Sikh and Hindu Communities in Portsmouth with the hope that this would lead to an Isle of wight SACRE member from these faiths.

Rebecca Lennon stated that she would provide the clerk with a contact who had expressed interest in joining the SACRE from the Hindu faith.

Clare Slade Carter was leaving her current position and therefore could no longer be the Special School representative on Committee C. The committee thanked Clare for all her hard work with the SACRE on this particular committee.

The Adviser to the SACRE updated the committee on sources of funding that could be of interest to the SACRE. The largest grant providers were mentioned as the Culham St Gabriel’s trust.

It was brought to the committee’s attention that there was an online workshop on the 28 June 2023 at 7pm to showcase all those who had received a grant. It was felt beneficial for SACRE members to attend so they could generate ideas for the Isle of Wight SACRE with regards to future applications for funding.

The Adviser to the SACRE gave an update regarding the RE Hubs and how the website for this had just been launched. The project was still in its infancy but with the potential that a wide range of resources would be uploaded to the hub website which teachers and the SACRE would be able to access and use.

It was brought to the members attention that the Association of University Lecturers in Religious Education AULRE were working to promote recruitment of RE teachers and had been involved in running a second webinar on this subject.

Grants from Westhill were stated as being geared to areas concerning the voice of the child.

If any member was interested in training linked to faith, place of worship and presenting in schools, they were asked to let the special Adviser know and she would send them the form to join the hub meetings. One of next topics to be discussed on the hub was Jainism.

Discussion then took place on Jainism.

RESOLVED:

THAT the local and national updates be noted

Cllr Debbie Andre and Harry Kirby gave an update about their attendance at the NASACRE AGM in London in May, and the topics discussed at the conference that followed.

Discussion took place on the role of the SACRE in having the potential to draw faiths together and how SACRE could be a lever in interfaith understanding.

The Adviser to the SACRE reported on the findings and discussions of the Monitoring Group which included Harry Kirby, Beth Feltham and Cllr Debbie Andre.

The Monitoring Group had undertaken a visit to special school and the visit had focused on how the RE curriculum and collective worship was designed and adapted so to make the subject engaging and meaningful to all children.

It was reported that the HIAS primary and secondary RE Network meetings were taking place throughout the summer term, though whilst primary meetings were being held face to face, secondary meetings were being held virtually. SACRE members were asked if they would like to offer any input on their religion or belief to contact the Adviser.

The secondary network group had met to discuss moving forward with the Youth Voice to SACRE and the SACRE was asked to consider how this would evolve. It was hoped that Year 9 would be the target group as this would perhaps inspire more pupils to do RE as a GCSE. Christ the King had offered to host the event and it was hoped that the event would take place in either the autumn or spring of the next academic year.  The SACRE members were asked if they would offer input into the event.

Discussion took place on the Youth UN format as a template for the Youth Voice in SACRE.

RESOLVED:

THAT the SACRE agreed to the initial format put forward by RE Leaders regarding the Youth Voice.

THAT the SACRE would offer their support to such an event.

The Adviser to the SACRE explained that there had been some progress with the review of the Constitution and that she had attended a meeting along with Cllr Andre and the Isle of Wight Council Legal Team.

The Legal Team were looking at the points raised by the SACRE for possible amendment, though these were very few and were mainly concentrated around the clauses which mentioned the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair. It was hoped that they would be able to bring a completed review back to the SACRE by the October meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the progress of the SACRE constitution review be noted.

To receive updates and notification of future agenda items.

Chris May and RE Leaders to be invited to the next SACRE meeting in October.

Members were reminded to get in touch with the clerk should they be interested in attending the Youth Voice event, though there was no date, time or venue confirmed as yet to be able to share with members.

Monday 16 October 2023 in the Council Chamber, County Hall.