· Ideas from Members for future activities
· Suggestions from RE Today
· Other sources of funding
· Babcock
Minutes:
Ideas from Members
Members were asked for suggestions for future activities for SACRE to support. The following ideas were suggested:
i. Worcester Cathedral had recently held an event which had been popular with students, where a panel of representatives from different faiths responded to questions from students. A similar panel event had been held in 2011 at South Bromsgrove School. Gloucester had held an event whereby different faiths had tables and students could circulate to speak to representatives from different religions,
ii. A primary school in Dudley had held a debate. It was felt a similar event could be held in Worcestershire with questions from the new syllabus as a starting point,
iii. SACRE Members were keen to investigate the idea of a 'Young SACRE,' perhaps discussing their ideas of RE or SMSC. The Chairman felt it would be useful to investigate support from REC who had a 'Youth Ambassadors' pilot programme.
Ideas from RE Today
Stephen Pett suggested an 'Excellent RE' scheme whereby RE Today train teachers for 3 ½ days to become local RE leaders. This could form part of the teachers continual professional development and funding was available to cover their lessons while they were training. Ten teachers could be trained and then in pairs – perhaps a church school with an academy - they could organise network meetings to pass on what they had learnt. Therefore one block of training would lead to 5 network meetings and more schools could be reached.
SACRE members thought this was a positive idea and would complement existing arrangements such as moderation meetings held by the Diocese and the network meetings already organised by Stephen (three of which would be organised for next year). It was felt that teachers would feel supported by the proposed scheme. However the success of the scheme would depend on finding the right pairs of teachers and them having supportive Head Teachers.
Funding
The Councillors wondered whether the bodies represented around the table could contribute to the funding of SACRE projects. For example County Councillors held a discretionary fund which could be used in a particular area of the county.
Norman Mills explained that the faiths were all charities which meant there were restrictions on how money could be spent, but for particular projects it may be possible. Also most trusts would not give money for religious activities or statutory duties.
It was known that the Westhill Trust gave a bi-annual award of £4,000 and they seemed to be interested in projects involving parents.
Babcock
Barry Newton reported that the Learning and Achievement section of the county Council had now been commissioned out to Babcock, so he was not now an employee of the Local Authority. He was not yet aware of what impact the change would have on SACRE.
RESOLVED that SACRE:
a) Noted the various ideas for future activities and should consider how these ideas could be taken forward;
b) Support Stephen Pett and RE Today's proposal of 'Excellent RE';
c) Considered various funding sources and members were encouraged to investigate any possible sources of funding available from their particular nominating bodies; and
d) Would receive an update report on these issues at the next SACRE meeting.