Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from members of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Karen Barker, Rob Lawton and Dave Pegg.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, advising the Committee that there was a new clerk for the meetings and new representatives, including Balwinder from the Sikh community.

Vince Saunders presented an opening reflection, emphasising the importance of the balance of work and rest in people’s lives.  He advised that his pupils were encouraged to enjoy the small things and commit to doing a selfless act during the school holidays.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2024 were agreed as a true and correct record.

Voting: unanimous 

The Chair advised that she was stepping down as Chair this year (2024).  Councillor Burton had agreed to be the Chair and Vince Saunders the Vice Chair for the forthcoming year and hopefully the year after. 

The Committee expressed its thanks to Lynda Ford-Horne, for her work which had been greatly valued.

I elected,?  It was advised that Councillor Burton would be the Chair from the next meeting, scheduled for November 2024.

Councillor Burton and Vince Saunders gave their thanks and expressed how they were look forward to their future roles on the Committee.

It was RESOLVED that:

1. Councillor Burton be elected as Chair for 2024/25; and
2. Vince Saunders be elected as Vice Chair for 2024/25.

Voting: Unanimous

1.         Including ways to engage teachers + hubs NC

2.         RE Conference (proposed date 20 November 2024) DR/ GP

The Committee was presented with the updated action plan.

It was advised that the core business item had been completed.  Section B included items that would be “nice to do”, rather than essential. 

It was agreed to include an extra item concerning engaging teachers.  The Committee wanted to investigate further methods of communication, beyond emails.  For example, with the new syllabus, the Committee wanted to know how the membership were getting on with it.

The Committee discussed teacher led hubs in the diocese and the co-ordination of meetings.  Leaders would be having a whole day of training.  It was hoped national training facilitators could be engaged.  A meeting was scheduled for later this month to make arrangements with the Wilts SACRE Advisor. There would be personalised content, based on the area.  It was advised that individual hubs could draw £275 for their own schools, for time commitments. 

It was advised that there was a working party set-up for the RE conference.  Each SACRE could run their own.  It would be a virtual conference, with funding for this coming from part of a grant, so it would be cost neutral for SACREs.  They are held with all schools eligible, with a £50 fee, but it was free for SACRE members and would be held on 26 March 2025.  Understanding Christianity – train the trainer budget had been made available.  Joining information would be sent to new members.  RE Today were the training provider. 

It was discussed that there should be SACRE representation on all bodies.  Therefore, there should be a review of the membership and drive to fill any gaps.  This would also provide an opportunity to reach out to as many schools as possible and get contacts and offer support. 

It was explained that the Chair had contacted the local Quakers, (awaiting a reply) and the Free Church to ask if they wanted to remain or appoint new members.  Therefore, it was hoped that by September, there should be a full Committee A.

The SACRE Conference would be held on 20 November 2024, with the next meeting of this SACRE being held after the conference.  The Committee was asked if it had any initial thoughts regarding the national agenda items for consideration?  It was agreed that a working group be set-up to develop any ideas. 

It was suggested and agreed that as the Interfaith Week ended on 17 November 2024, feedback on that and any update regarding any new members on Cttee A could be included onto the action plan for the next meeting. It was further agreed that input from the latest Ofsted review would be beneficial for this Committee to receive.

It was asked if anyone had any information about any small pots of money that were available, for support of Interfaith Week, specifically to help with attendance at conference, could they please pass on any details. 

It was discussed that there should be as much information in the September issue of the SACRE newsletter as possible.  The Chair agreed to write and include something on their experiences of going into schools and contact details.

The Committee discussed the events commemorating the Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, which included:

26 January, at the Lighthouse, Poole: 80 years since the liberation of  Auschwitz and 30 since Bosnian genocide

27 January, at Civic Centre Chamber; and

28 January, student events.  These details had not been circulated to schools yet but would be included in the newsletter. 

The new BCP Interfaith Group had only been running for a year.  There would be a meeting to decide a programme of events and another peace vigil.

It was discussed and agreed that there should be a list of recognised speakers, who were appropriate for speaking in schools on relevant subjects. It was further suggested that the legacy B & P SACREs had a collective worship document, suggesting how school visitors should work with young people, and that this could be reviewed.

There was no update. Cathy Boston Manor would supply a future update. 

·        20 November (face to face after the RE conference)

·        12 March 2025

·        2 July 2025

The Committee agreed the three upcoming Committee dates, as published in the Agenda.

Meeting closed 17:06