Issue - meetings

To receive a verbal update from the Systems Leader for GwE regarding the project to support schools working with their local religious communities.

The Systems Leader for GwE (SL) provided a verbal update on the project to support schools working with their local religious communities advising that a relatively low response had been received from schools in response to the request for case studies.  Consequently the deadline for responses had been extended and the SL had written a proforma with suggestions and ideas to be circulated to schools in order to encourage more inspiring responses.

Members speculated that the current pressures and demands on schools was the likely reason for the poor response.  Members discussed ways of ensuring that the relevant individuals within schools were approached in order to elicit the best responses.  Practical actions included –

·        circulating a copy of the proforma to all SACRE members to feedback to their schools

·        sending the proforma directly to schools for the attention of the RE Co-ordinators to ensure the request was received by the appropriate person

·        the possibility of offering an incentive to schools to respond

·        addressing members of the governing body to raise awareness

The Chair highlighted the length of time since any specific training had been provided and felt the best way forward would be to arrange a specific half day session for all RE Co-ordinators.  Members discussed the possibility of arranging such a session and it was noted that the SL would not be permitted to undertake this task as part of his current role.  Mr. Simon Cameron offered to take on that responsibility, advising of his role as Schools Officer for the Diocese of St. Asaph and similar sessions he had organised in that capacity, highlighting the value of such an event.  He was happy to extend his brief to community schools if needed.  The SL felt that GwE would allow him to attend the session if Mr. Cameron was prepared to take on the responsibility of organising the event and he highlighted the benefits of a collaborative approach.  He also reported upon recent discussions in light of the new consortia arrangements which suggested that SACREs needed to be more proactive and less reliant on their support officers.  The Chair added that Denbighshire’s Head of Education would likely want to be involved in this initiative.  He thanked both the SL and Mr. Cameron for their commitment and it was –

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the verbal update on the RE and Local Communities project be noted, and

(b)       the Systems Leader for GwE and Mr. Simon Cameron meet outside of the meeting to discuss the practicalities of arranging a session for RE Co-ordinators.