The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Natasha Airey and Councillor Asghar Majeed, Deborah Firth, Gary Homewood, Melody Erasmus and Clive Haines.

Minutes were agreed by SACRE once amendments from Anne Andrews and Karen Butler were taken on board.

ACTION: Clerk to make amendments to minutes of the last meeting.

The clerk of SACRE reported that there were no changes to the membership.

Anne Andrews reported that she had spoken to the Islam representative at the Mosque and the RE subject lead at Churchmead School to try and get an Islam representative onto SACRE.

Anne Andrews reported on some SIAMS reports that had been published and circulated to SACRE. The SACRE discussed that these were a useful benchmark but outside the remit of SACRE as SACRE is not directly responsible for RE in church schools. However, as they are all following the Locally Agreed syllabus and the curriculum was viewed favourably, this would be valuable information when preparing for the syllabus review.

The Chairman thanked Anne Andrews for all her hard work.

Anne Andrews informed SACRE that she was working with Trevelyan spelling School and informed SACRE that some of the teachers had attended a course. Anne Andrews had noticed that teachers were using the techniques learnt at the course. This had showed an improvement in RE and pupils seemed more interested and engaged.

The Chairman reported that a meeting had been arranged with the Big Society Panel lead and they may be willing to assist with the issue raised at the last meeting about transport issues of taking children to different places of worship. The Chairman will report back after the meeting.

Anne Andrews reported that a recent trip to the Gurdwara was a very productive session. The feedback from teachers was very positive. It had been noted that teachers from Ascot schools were not attending many meetings. Anne Andrews was trying hard to attract more teachers from Ascot schools. The next meeting is planned for March and already eight people have signed up.

Karen Butler commented on the upcoming newsletter and how informative it was. Others also made similar comments. Karen Butler also highlighted that after the last meeting, the Survey Monkey questionnaire was completed very efficiently, had had a good response,  was analysed by the Chairman very well and should be included in the newsletter. SACRE agreed that it was worth thanking the teachers who participated and mentioning them in the newsletter too.

ACTION: Anne Andrews to add to next newsletter.

After a lengthy discussion about the next possible conference, Anne Andrews suggested that if the British Values conference on Monday 18 March in Bracknell was to go ahead, then the remaining funds in the budget could be used to send teachers.

It was agreed that once the conference was confirmed and the available budget confirmed, a suggestion be made to Bracknell SACRE that the first fifteen teachers from the Royal Borough could attend for free, with those in addition charged the standard £95 per head..

Councillor Kellaway asked about what was meant by “British Values”. Anne Andrews explained that this was high profile on the Government’s agenda and therefore the schools agenda. The Government’s definition of British Values has been based around five values: democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

ACTION: Anne Andrews to report back on the conference and the suggestion by SACRE.

Karen Butler had attended the original Berkshire Hub meeting and was very keen to get together with the other parts of Berkshire and work collaboratively to strengthen the Hub and take projects forward. It had been discussed that it would be most cost effective if all six SACREs worked together to achieve more.

Karen Butler and Anne Andrews, both recommended that joining the Berkshire Hub, so that all six SACREs could work closely together, should enable everyone to achieve better outcomes.

Anne Andrews highlighted that we needed to report back by 18 March. SACRE has another meeting on 14 March so could make a final decision at the next meeting.

In an extensive discussion, the SACRE considered in particular who would attend Hub meetings on its behalf. Continuity would be very helpful. Karen Butler kindly offered to attend Hub meetings on behalf of SACRE, with Felicity Gunn also able to attend when required.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their input and Karen Butler for taking the lead. Subject to confirmation of the budget situation, and to a final decision at its next meeting, SACRE decided in principle to participate in the Berkshire Hub proposal.

ACTION: Clerk to circulate budget information ASAP to all Members.

The Chairman advised Members that NASACRE suggested that having a three year plan. Members were asked about what they thought the priorities were for SACRE, aside from the syllabus review.

Liz Jenkins discussed the big changes to GCSE specifications, which will require schools to teach two religions at a very detailed level. Currently there were no agreed specifications and no textbooks. The new schemes will come into effect from September 2016.

Hilary Harris explained that she taught RE at a faith school, they were teaching Christianity and Islam.

Anne Andrews suggested arranging a two hour twilight session for secondary schools for the summer term, end of June/beginning of July. Members agreed that this would be very useful.

ACTION: Liz Jenkins to provide dates to Anne Andrews.

ACTION: Anne Andrews to send invite to secondary schools to attend the talk by the Welsh exam board representative at a specific school.

ACTION: Anne Andrews to ask Elaine to speak to secondary schools and ask what exam board they were going to be following and what religions were they considering to teach from September and if they would be interested in attending the twilight session.

ACTION: Anne Andrews to ask the Maidenhead Mosque to provide representatives to attend a session to meet with, and answer the questions of, teachers who will be teaching Islam for the first time from September.

Discussed in last agenda item.

The Chairman informed Members that events were taking place around the places of worship in the Borough on Tuesday evenings between 7.00pm and 8.30pm every three weeks. The next one was on 6 February at the Gurdwara. The Chairman had attended the first at the Buddhist Centre which was a lovely, informative session.

The Chairman suggested this go in the newsletter.   

·         British Values Conference (Anne Andrews)

Many items were being produced for the Queens 90^th birthday, many linked to British Values. These were very useful resources and available online. All details to be sent to Anne Andrews for the newsletter.

Anne Andrews suggested that Members should read the NASACRE Briefing.

Rev Joan Hicks informed Members that a long standing member of SACRE, Jenny Murphy, had died.

Members asked for refreshments at the SACRE meetings. They had been ordered but not delivered.

•           14 March 2016

The next meeting is on Monday 14 March 2016 in Desborough 4, Town Hall, Maidenhead.