Apologies were received from Mr A Menzies and Mrs Sara Barrett.

Dear Father,

We thank You for everyone here and we ask for Your blessing and help as we are gathered together.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, guide us and inspire our hearts.

Fill our lives with Your love and Fill our conversations with Your grace and truth.

We ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen

With respect to members of other faiths, it was decided that the opening prayer would not take place. The Chair would consider the future of the agenda item outside of the meeting.

ACTION: Miss Waller

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Rutland SACRE held on 9 January 2018 (previously circulated).

The record of the meeting of the Rutland Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) held on 9 January 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

SACRE actions from meeting held on 9 January 2018.

              i.        The Agreed Syllabus had been approved by Council unanimously. The Chair thanked everyone involved with the development of the Agreed Syllabus. Mrs Fitton noted that it had also been approved by Northamptonshire and Peterborough. The Chair noted it was excellent that authorities were able to work together on the syllabus.

            ii.        Mrs Stephenson would be attending the Agreed Syllabus launch in Huntingdon on 3 May 2018 on behalf of the Chair.

           iii.        Mrs Fitton noted she would be devoting the next SACRE newsletter to the Agreed Syllabus.

           iv.        Ms Curtis noted that Mrs Fitton could have a 15 minute slot at the headteachers Partnership Meeting on 23 May 2018 to discuss the syllabus.

            v.        It was discussed whether a launch for the syllabus could be held in Rutland, potentially during an afternoon in the Council chamber as to avoid large costs.

           vi.        Mrs Fitton would look to find how many Rutland schools would be attending the launch on May 3^rd.

          vii.        Discussion was had as to whether an event for headteachers and governors would be beneficial, giving information as to how they can plan for the new syllabus, how to use the new documents etc. Mrs Fitton and Ms Curtis would look into it.

        viii.        The provisional date for the next Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel was on Thursday 21 June 2018. The date would be confirmed at Annual Council on 14 May 2018. Mr Toner would ask his students any of them would be able to volunteer to speak at the Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel regarding Religious Education.

ACTION: Mrs Fitton/Ms Curtis/Mr Toner

All to discuss the latest version of the Rutland SACRE Annual Report 2017/18.

The group went through the report and brought up typos that needed to be corrected, and minor layout changes.

It was noted that the report would go to the next Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel.

ACTION: Mr Silcock

All to discuss the latest version of the Agreed Syllabus which had gone to Full Council on 9 April 2018.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Mrs Fitton noted that final formatting was still being done to the Agreed Syllabus. The formatting was being done for free by Peterborough City Council. Rutland’s crest and colours would be included on the document

    ii.        Mrs Fitton would send the final document to Mr Silcock towards the end of the month to include on the RCC SACRE webpage.

ACTION: Mrs Fitton/Mr Silcock

Ms Curtis to lead the discussion.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        It was currently a national issue of struggling to recruit Religious Education teachers. It was felt there was not enough training for the subject to teachers.

    ii.        Mrs Fitton noted that Religious Education should be a part of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), as at present it was not.

   iii.        It was questioned if Ofsted were to mention Religious Education in their reports the subject may gather more interest.

   iv.        The Chair would draft a letter to Ofsted, explaining that the Rutland SACRE had done a review of Ofsted inspections and would ask if Ofsted had plans to include Religious Education in future reports. The Chair would circulate the draft letter to the group for comment.

    v.        Mrs Fitton would share the draft letter with other SACREs for backing.

ACTION: Miss Waller/Mrs Fitton

All to discuss and agree on what to bring forward.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        It was questioned whether the development plan should be a 2 year plan.

    ii.        It was noted that deadlines should be included.

   iii.        The Chair and Mrs Stephenson would re-work the development plan outside of the meeting.

ACTION: Miss Waller/Mrs Stephenson

Ms Curtis to lead the discussion.

Langham CofE Primary School

Ofsted inspection report of Langham CofE Primary School from 6^th December 2017.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Ms Curtis noted that St Mary’s and St John’s CofE VA Primary School were having a one day inspection on 18 April 2018.

    ii.        Overall the Langham Ofsted report was good, with reference to the curriculum, personal development, and British values, but it was lacking explicit mention of Religious Education.

To receive items of urgent business which have previously been notified to the person presiding.

Mrs Fitton noted that there was a need for more schools to get involved with the network meetings. There had recently been useful discussion with those that attended and issues coming out that needed to be discussed by more schools. Mrs Fitton and Ms Curtis would discuss the issue.

ACTION: Mrs Fitton/Ms Curtis

Tuesday 10 July 2018 at 4.30pm (TBC)

The date of the next meeting would be confirmed following Annual Council in May 2018.