Agenda item

David Rees gave an update on the Syllabus, and the following points were raised:

·         It had been a team effort, and additions would be made. Assessments would be worked on shortly.

·         The Hub did not want it to be too prescriptive, it was 32 pages in length, aiming to encourage enquiry.

·         There was a shift towards religions and worldviews.

·         The Hub was meeting more regularly.

·         It was not yet finished – wanted it to be launched on March 27 from 14:00 – 18:00.

·         Schools were not yet informed; a save the date email would be sent.

·         David Rees wanted a Newsletter sent out W/B 24 June.

·         The Syllabus Conference would broadcast the Syllabus, what the Syllabus was about and the advice it gave to Schools and Teachers.

Councillor Vickers queried whether all six local authorities in Berkshire would need to make a formal decision before the conference, and who would coordinate with the Councils. David Rees stated that assistance would be needed, as each SACRE has a different constitution and methodology.

Councillor Vickers questioned whether the Council had to make a decision to approve the Syllabus, and if so whether it would need to be at a public meeting, or whether it could be an Individual Decision by the Executive Portfolio Holder. 

Councillor Vickers noted that if he was Chairman of the Council in the next Municipal Year, he aimed to have a theme of ‘faith in the future’ and would publicise the newly adopted Syllabus.

Rabbi Zvi Solomons had the following concerns regarding the Syllabus:

·         The Syllabus mentioned gender identity, which was a contentious subject.

·         There is a diversity of world views in religion.

·         There appeared to be a bias in the Syllabus regarding Judaism. In response, David Rees stated that this had been amended in the latest version of the Syllabus.

·         Rabbi Solomons suggested that Islam was more prominent than Judaism within the Syllabus, and Humanism had a more prominent position than Judaism.

·         David Rees noted that the presence of Humanism was not at a detriment to Judaism or Islam. David Rees highlighted the table on page 4, and suggested comments could be added and adjusted be made.

·         There was a requirement for accurate terminology. With a preference for ‘Jews’ rather than ‘Jewish people’. Zvi Solomons highlighted that Judaism was not a world view but a civilisation and noted the cultural impacts of religion.

·         The Syllabus needed to be as close to the three B’s (Belonging, Believing, Behaving) as possible, and considered the Syllabus in its current form as a recolonisation of the Syllabus.

David Rees stated that Anne Andrews had been looking for a replacement for the three B’s

David Rees stated that he had received the information sent by Zvi Solomons, and it would be sent back to the Hub and discussed.

Councillor Vickers did not agree with the comments made by Rabbi Solomons, however acknowledged the political sensitivity and agreed that the suggested amendments be made. 

Robin Launder supported the Syllabus and commended the dedication and effort taken to create it. 

David Rees stated that the Syllabus had been created with the aim of avoiding “all people of this faith think this way”.

Rabbi Zvi Solomons suggested David Rees and the members of the Hub talk to the Muslim representatives about the overlap of the Bible. There was a link on page 6 of the sheet, the Jewish SACRE reps said when they met.

Rose Carberry suggested including a glossary, so that terms could be expanded to allow teachers to have the confidence to talk about issues with the correct terminology.

Mel Higgs supported the Syllabus and highlighted the usefulness of the Glossary.

Resolved: The Agreed Syllabus Conference would take place on Thursday 27 March from 14:00 – 18:00.

Resolved: David Rees to complete a Newsletter to be sent out in the week beginning 24 June.

Resolved: David Rees to check how the Syllabus would be sent to each Council for approval

Resolved: SACRE to meet next on 1 October to sign off Syllabus after discussions with Ann Andrews.

Resolved: Anne Andrews to continue looking for a replacement for the three B’s

Resolved: Syllabus to include a Glossary of terms

Resolved: David Rees to discuss with Anne Andrews and set a deadline for amendments to the Syllabus