·         Agreed Syllabus guidance materials development

·         Crossing the Bridges project: Westhill Award

Anne Andrews updated the advisory council on the above titled item. It was highlighted that Anne had been working on draft guidance to support and facilitate the agreed syllabus and crossing bridges project. It was noted that the objectives had remained the same and that the Hub would provide reasonable resources and guidance for the syllabus.  SACREs had been tasked with identifying practitioners (ideally one individual to cover each key stage from each SACRE). Louise Ceska, head teacher of Newlands School queried the reference to ‘places to visit a world view” and it was agreed that this wording would be amended.

ACTION- That Anne Andrews amends the document to reflect the discussion surrounding “places to visit a world view.”

The Vice-chair noted that she agreed with the plan to move the syllabus forward and that it was good. However, it was noted that there should be a focus on practitioners leading on the resources as they would be teaching the subject. It was anticipated that at the half day meeting with local teachers that this would be highlighted. The Vice-chair also notes that it felt like there was a reliance upon the SACRE group to carry out a significant amount of work and that there was higher accountability for teachers. Members discussed the Westhill Bid and that there were limited funds to resource an individual to carry out this work on behalf of the SACREs. Members were told that the bid had been written and that the deadline for submission would be the 31^st March 2019. It was agreed that hub plan should include the wording “to make the Westhill bid” and that the impact should be evaluated of the approach. Members agreed that Anne Andrews should be commissioned to carry out the work on the bid and plan delivery. It was highlighted that the Jan Lever group would be withdrawing from working with the hub and that the money held by the Jan Lever Group could be transferred and held by the diocese.

Members discussed that the Westhill bid had been condensed and that teachers would be encouraged to attend a place of worship. It was noted that there were some concerns with teachers ability to commit time to visit places of worship. Reverend Sally Lynch highlighted that there would be a large of follow up work needed after the visit and members agreed that it would be difficult for teachers to commit to this. It was also noted that teachers would struggle to find cover for their lessons and that there would be a cost attached to this. Barbara Meaney suggested that teachers who had already attended places of worship share their ideas and planning for lessons with other teachers. Anne Andrews highlighted that some resources had been drafted such as the “guidance on planning” which had been well received by teachers at the BFC subject leaders meeting.

ACTION- That Anne Andrews distributes guidance before the Christmas break.

Karen Butler suggested that best practice be taken from schools with “good” or “outstanding” results from recent SIAMs reports, such as Datchet St Marys School and Cheapside School. Members felt that by utilising practitioners from these schools that it would be beneficial to explore best practice and share this information more widely.

ACTION- That Anne Andrews asks whether teachers in attendance at the subject leaders meeting would be willing to share best practice locally.

Anne Andrews stated that she would be able to commit and resource the documents and resources for all teachers but that there would be a charge to the diocese for her time. It was also explained that materials to support the syllabus could also be provided.

ACTION- That Anne Andrews emails other SACRE advisors; re- commission and creation of materials.

SACRE members agreed that professionally produced guidance be produced by Anne or another adviser subject to confirmation of remaining budget for the year.

RECOMMENDED ACTION- That Anne Andrews produce the bid proposal for the Westhill Award.