Agenda item

David Rees rejoined the meeting at 17:02.

The Chairman asked members of SACRE if they had any items they wished to discuss under Equality and Diversity. The full item can be viewed on the recording: Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education – Recording

The main points highlighted under Equality & Diversity were:

Concerns were expressed that the new syllabus was in breach of the Equality Act and the Education Act, and that a significant number of concerns raised by members of the Jewish Faith had not been adequately resolved. However, other members disagreed with this suggestion

The Chairman stated that the new syllabus had been created in conjunction with the five other SACREs in Berkshire and had been due to start from Autumn 2025. However, it could be pushed back to 2026-2031 if there were concerns raised by members.

The Chairman noted that the agreed syllabus had not been ratified by any of the Local Authorities in Berkshire, however, the syllabus had been passed by all six Berkshire SACREs, though some were now facing a legal challenge to this.

The Chairman noted that a number of other SACREs were revisiting some of the syllabus content particularly on Judaism, and it should be clear by the next meeting what the changes would look like.

Concerns were expressed that communications highlighting concerns about the syllabus to members had not included the Legal Department at West Berkshire Council. It would take time for the Legal Department to read and advise members on the content of the communications.

It was clarified that the agreed syllabus would likely be passed via an Individual Member Decision, rather than a committee or Council. Members suggested that this could allow sufficient opportunity for any issues to be raised by Councillors, with the ability for the item to be called in before the Scrutiny Commission.

Concerns were expressed that the non-statutory alterations to the syllabus were inadequate to address the concerns raised and treated Jews differently to members of other faiths. Members noted that if a major religion was extremely unhappy, then the concerns should be given a fair hearing. It was clarified that that the process for adopting the syllabus through an Individual Member Decision could give the opportunity for any concerns to be heard and would include an Equality and Diversity Impact Assessment. Members were also informed that any output from an Individual Member Decision would be sent to members of SACRE.

Given the seriousness of the objection that had been raised, it was suggested that SACRE should halt the ratification of the syllabus in order to give a fair hearing to the concerns. It was suggested by members that if there had been more Jews on SACRE, the syllabus may have been paused earlier.

The Chairman noted that other SACREs were reopening their Agreed Syllabus Conferences and recommended that West Berkshire SACRE wait until its next meeting, as the other SACREs would meet before then, and it would be clearer for West Berkshire whether it should reopen the Agreed Syllabus Conference.

The Chairman clarified that all the objections that had been raised in the meeting and referenced in communications with members were being examined by the Berkshire Hub, both the statutory and non-statutory items.

It was suggested that Members could communicate directly with Rose Carberry regarding the processes.

It was clarified that Rose Carberry was the Principal Advisor to SACRE, but she was not advising SACRE on the Syllabus.

Officers noted that additional information was needed, and that all business moving forward had to be done respectfully and purposefully.

Members were in agreement that clear parameters should be set regarding the specific parts of the syllabus that were being looked at and what the potential outcomes would be.

The Chairman stated that the Pan-Berkshire Hub was looking into the concerns raised by members and was seeking to respond positively.

The Chairman clarified that the syllabus had been produced by the Pan-Berkshire Hub, in conjunction with members from each SACRE.

The Professional Advisor noted that the agreed syllabus had to reflect the demographic of the area and used local representatives from different religions and worldviews. It was further noted that the Pan-Berkshire Hub had drafted 33 versions of the syllabus before it was passed at the Agreed Syllabus Conference.

Members suggested that an external body could look through the syllabus and give feedback.

Concerns were expressed regarding the monocultural background of the advisors and that issues which had been highlighted were by members were being ignored.

However, other members disagreed with this assertion and stated that the professional advisors completed their work on the basis of their professional background and expertise, and were well qualified, and members could be confident in the syllabus they had produced.

Members noted that it was difficult for any one faith to feel it was properly represented if it was not the Church of England.

Members were in agreement that the concerns raised by members of the Jewish faith regarding the syllabus should be reviewed by an external independent advisor who would give their professional opinion on the matter.

The Chairman noted that there were budgetary concerns regarding the use of an external independent advisor. However, other members noted that other Local SACREs may wish to join in with any review process.

The Professional Advisor noted that SACRE could contact NASACRE for advice on the matter, however, he was uncertain whether NASACRE would be able to advise as they would be likely to state that it had to be a local syllabus, and it had to fit with local needs. The professional advisor noted that ARIAC could be contacted for further information on the syllabus.

The Professional Advisor suggested that West Berkshire SACRE could contact other Local Authorities who had SACREs with RE advisors for advice. 

The Chairman stated that he would seek independent external advice but noted that it would cost money, and it had not been budgeted for in SACRE’s budget.

It was suggested by members that if the syllabus was adjusted to include the advice given by Jewish Representatives, it would not be difficult to achieve, and it would not cost any money or damage the syllabus.

The Chairman noted that any information received from the independent external advisor would be advice and would not be binding.

The professional advisor stated that the Pan-Berkshire hub would reconsider the statutory information, taking into account the concerns raised by members, to make sure that it was the correct fit for the six local authorities.

Action: The Chairman to seek independent external advice regarding the agreed syllabus