The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies were received from Sheila Gewolb and Councillor Powell but Councillor S Webb attended the meeting as her representative. 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Rutland SACRE held on the 6^th September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th September 2022 were approved as an accurate record.

Action 1

Daniel informed attendees that the Diocese had confirmed that there was currently no mechanism in place to record the quality of RE in Schools. However, Rutland Head Teachers were due to meet together with the Diocese to see how information could be collated, possibly through a self-audit.  It was agreed that Daniel would give an update at the November SACRE meeting with the action plan to be completed for the January meeting.

Daniel had gone through all recent inspection reports and compiled any comments regarding the teaching of RE and the overall inspection grade – data from Daniel (copy attached).  It was agreed that Daniel would distribute a short self-evaluation questionnaire for headteachers to complete regarding the quality of RE teaching in Rutland schools.

ACTION: Daniel Alfieri

Action 2

Shelia informed the group that central government was updating the White Paper after Academies had originally been told they did not need to follow an RE Syllabus when they should in fact follow the same guidelines as community schools. Update to be given at the November meeting.

It was reported that no update on the White Paper had been received from central government but that an update would be given to all members when it was.

Action 3

New RE Legislation in Wales - Amanda to circulate a briefing to members on the new no ‘opt-out’ for religious education in Wales.  

Action outstanding.  Amanda to circulate and collate comments for November SACRE meeting.

Members were informed that an email had been sent on the 7^th September 2022 with a statement attached regarding the new rules for religious education in Wales.

Action 4

The final Agreed Syllabus 2023-28 would be discussed/approved by Rutland’s Cabinet on the 7th March 2023 and it was agreed that Gill Curtis, Head of Learning and Skills would brief Councillor David Wilby, Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services prior to the meeting.

Action noted and would be completed nearer the Cabinet meeting in March 2023.

Action 5

The Chair requested that the Agreed Syllabus 2023-28, the communication plan and a draft copy of the Cabinet report be ready for review at the November SACRE meeting. Revd James McWhirter also requested that a brief overview be provided.

It was noted that a meeting to approve the final draft of the agreed syllabus and the communication plan would be held on Thursday, 1^st December to further discussed.

Action 6

Councillor Powell stated that a clear briefing would be required for when the Agreed Syllabus was discussed at Cabinet in March 2023 and queried when the report would go to Council.  Jane said she would check and notify members.

It was confirmed that an email had been sent to all members on the 16^th September informing them that the SACRE Agreed Syllabus would be discussed/approved at RCC’s Cabinet meeting on the 7^th March 2023.

Action 7

·       It was agreed that Lizzie would arrange for a letter of congratulation be sent to schools regarding the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive an update from Amanda Fitton, SACRE/RE Advisor, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire,Peterboroughand Rutland County Council and receive details of the Communication Plan.

An update was received from Amanda Fitton, SACRE/RE Advisor, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Rutland County Council on the Agreed Syllabus 2023-2028 and the Communication Plan.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

·       The draft statutory documents had been written but needed finalising and would be discussed/approved at the Agreed Syllabus Conference: Joint Planning on Thursday, 1^st December.

·       The Agreed Syllabus would then be sent out to SACRE members for comment.

·       Any comments regarding the wording within the document should be sent to Amanda Fitton, SACRE/RE Advisor (amanda.fitton@cambridgeshire.gov.uk).

To receive details from Amanda Fitton, SACRE/RE Advisor, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire,Peterboroughand Rutland County Council of the available training on offer to SACRE members

Details were received from Amanda Fitton, SACRE/RE Advisor, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Rutland County Council regarding the available training on offer to SACRE members.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

·       Rutland SACRE had paid the £50 annual fee so all training provided by NASACRE would be free to all Rutland SACRE members.

·       Full training course details were available from the NASACRE website: www.nasacre.org.uk

·       It was also noted that Humanist UK also provided free training courses for SACRE members.  Details could be found on their website: www.humanists.uk   

To review the last section (Section 4) of the NASACRE Self-Evaluation Toolkit

·       The last section (Section 4) of the NASACRE Self-Evaluation Toolkit was reviewed and updated accordingly. 

·       It was agreed that the now fully completed self-evaluation toolkit would be circulated to all members with the minutes of the meeting and with the next meeting’s agenda to help discussion regarding the SACRE development plan.

To receive an update from Amanda Fitton, SACRE Advisor, on Network Meetings.

An update was received from Amanda Fitton, SACRE Advisor.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

·       It had been agreed that the network meetings needed to be revised.

·       It was agreed that Amanda would meet with Mary-Anne, Megan and Daniel to gain schools feedback as to what schools actually wanted from the network meetings and to discuss the possibility of inter-county meetings with Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. 

ACTION: Amanda

·       Network meetings had previously been held in-person but it was proposed that virtual meetings would be better attended as per Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.

·       Members were informed that Lesley Pollard’s role as the RE Advisor for the Diocese of Peterborough would now be undertaken by Jane Lewis in her role as the Assistant Diocesan Director of Education for the Diocese of Peterborough.

To receive a verbal update from Members of SACRE on training attended.

·       No training courses had been attended by members.

·       Full training course details were available from the NASACRE website: www.nasacre.org.uk

To receive a verbal report from Elizabeth Papworth, Education Development Lead and any Ofsted Inspection Reports.

·       It was confirmed that no recent Ofsted inspections had been held since the last SACRE meeting.

To review/update the Forward Plan

·       The Forward Plan was discussed and updated accordingly.

·       The Agreed Syllabus Launch was confirmed as the 15 June 2023 and a notification would be sent to all schools presently.

·       Amanda reported that the new census data had been received.  Full details would be circulated with the minutes.

·       Andrew reported that a free online discussion by the House of Commons would be available for members to listen to on the 6^th December regarding RE and Collective Worship.  The details would be sent to Jane for circulation to members.

·       Members were informed that two members of Rutland SACRE had resigned: Fiona Wilce and the Rev Peter Holmes.  It was agreed that Jane would contact the Peterborough Diocese and the Rutland Deanery for representatives of the Rutland SACRE.

·       Thanks were expressed by the Chair, Vice Chair and the SACRE/RE Advisor to Fiona and Peter for all their hard work and support to the Rutland SACRE. 

Tuesday, 31^st January 2023 at 4.30 p.m.

A SPECIAL meeting of the Rutland SACRE had been arranged for Tuesday, 31st January 2023 at 4.30 p.m.