Agenda item

David Rees presented an update on the 2023-24 Action Plan to SACRE:

·       Item A: Good increase in membership of SACRE; Annual Report; Subscription to NASACRE; Monitor Locally Agreed Syllabus; Monitoring and offering guidance on collective worship. 31.32

·       Item B: Connect through primary and secondary networks; termly newsletter; Local events, Free resources for teachers.

·       Item C: Pan-Berkshire Hub. Six SACRE’s working together: Supportive resources such as real people real faith.

·       David Rees suggested broadcasting Amanda Beddings contact details on the newsletter.

·       David Rees suggested a Religious Education conference for schools organised through the hub. Opportunity to bring people together.

·       David Rees noted that any suggestions would be welcomed.

Councillor Vickers questioned David Rees regarding interfaith dialogue and suggested a list of local speakers that schools could use in their Religious Education.

The Chairman highlighted the ‘Crossing the Bridges’ contact list. David Rees noted that the list would need updating.

David Rees suggested that a member of SACRE use the Cross the bridges list, to get more details on the churches and other places of worship. Councillor Vickers noted that they investigate.

Councillor Vickers suggested a directory of local priests and leaders of faith groups, who would be willing to go into schools and talk about their faith. Councillor Dick supported the creation of a local directory.

Councillor Vickers agreed to investigate the Directory.

The Chairman questioned whether more could be done to highlight the work and faith of the Newbury Mosque. The Chairman noted that Karim Sharawi had previously highlighted the work of the Muslim community. The Chairman handed over to Mobasshir Mushtaq, who supported the idea of highlighting the work of the Muslim community, and the creation of a list of good quality speakers. Mobasshir Mushtaq also noted that members of their Sunday school would likely put themselves forward to be included on the list of speakers.

Robin Launder expressed their desire for the list to be created with caution regarding quality control of the speakers. Robin Launder noted that speakers should be checked in regard to the content of their presentations in schools.

David Rees highlighted that the new RE Hub website had a section on local speakers for different areas and noted that the speakers on the list had been quality controlled.

David Rees stated that there would be a code of conduct for speakers and what would be expected of them. David Rees developed it with another SACRE, to give guidance to speakers and to schools. David Rees suggested a meeting with schools before a speaker would be allowed to speak to children. David Rees would find the document and send it to all members of SACRE.

Mel Higgs supported the suggestions made by David Rees and Robin Launder regarding safeguarding. Mel Higgs stated that schools would value a quality-controlled list of speakers, with additional training to be delivered to speakers, in addition to a code of conduct. Mel Higgs stated that they would support the training or meeting with local speakers before they went into schools.

Councillor Vickers suggested that the interfaith approach would not be appropriate for primary schools. Mel Higgs agreed in principle but stated that simplified subjects would work in primary schools to be accessible for the children. Mel Higgs highlighted the benefits of providing diverse points of view to children.

The Chairman noted that the Secondary Teachers on SACRE were already in contact with school representatives more so than the primary teachers, with their own networks, functioning as a unit.

The Chairman suggested having a meeting with speakers before they would be enabled to speak at a school, walking through the code of conduct and what would be expected of them when presenting to children. Mel Higgs supported the Chairmans suggestion, and in addition noted that basic themes could be included, for the children to learn and add to their world knowledge, and for the speaker to share personal experiences relevant to the criteria.

The Chairman resolved that SACRE would take safeguarding, and quality control under advisement when creating a list of speakers. Mel Higgs suggested the vetting of speakers. Mel Higgs highlighted the need for two references before speakers would be enabled to speak at a school.

The Chairman queried whether the speakers would be left alone with Children. Mel Higgs agreed that they would not necessarily be left alone with Children. Mel Higgs suggested that speakers with several references would increase Schools confidence in using the list. Mel Higgs noted the balancing between gratitude for volunteers donating their time, and the responsibility of making sure the speakers would be of a satisfactory quality.

The Chairman asked Mary Stagg for their interpretation. Mary Stagg noted the need for Speakers to abide by the time allocated for them, without overrunning. Mary Stagg highlighted the benefits for schools bringing in external speakers and noted the need for guidelines.

Robin Launder noted that there were two issues: the quality of delivery of the speaker; and the appropriateness of the content delivered. Robin Launder noted the potential for inappropriate comments being put forward by speakers, and the responsibility of SACRE to ensure that such incident would not occur with speakers chosen from the list.

Councillor Vickers stated that they would undertake to research the organisations such as churches and places of worship, in order to update the database. Councillor Vickers suggested David Rees send out the Code of Conduct, in order for them to approach potential speakers in places of worship if they would be willing to speak to children. 

SACRE resolved to approach places of worship, in order to ascertain if any members would be willing to speak to schools abiding by the code of conduct.

Councillors Billy Drummond and Tony Vickers left the meeting at 17:20.