Agenda

Aasha Small, from Medina Primary School, to lead.

RECOMMENDED that the SACRE agrees the minutes of the previous meeting held 26th June 2019 as a correct record.

Members are invited to raise any matters from the minutes that are not otherwise identified on the agenda.

i)          Use of artefacts boxes by Portsmouth Schools - schedule attached

Some items are missing after borrowing and the EMAS service have no funding to replace these.  Only a few schools use them for RE lessons perhaps once/twice a year and the cost is £1 per week.  PCC deliver boxes to schools and collect them after. 

To note the following changes:

The resignations of Hon. Alderman Tom Blair (Group A, Roman Catholic) and Ruth Guyer (Group A, Judaism)

The appointment confirmation of new Group C Primary Representative Ali Beechurst.

To receive any updates from Members of SACRE.

Note: Items requiring decision will need to be brought to a future meeting.

The purpose of the report is to inform SACRE of the findings and discussions that took place during the meeting of the SACRE monitoring sub-group on 4th November 2019.  The group is working to support SACRE in fulfilling its duty to ensure the effectiveness of RE through the implementation of the Agreed Syllabus.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE receives the report and notes the findings of the monitoring group meeting.

The SACRE previously asked that further consideration be given to amending part 6 of the constitution to allow for a mechanism for deciding membership requests that are not straightforward replacements by established member organisations. The Portsmouth SACRE Constitution was previously updated at the meeting of 14th November 2018.

Legal advice has been sought and it is RECOMMENDED that the constitution be amended to reflect that:

•        the SACRE has the power to appoint members to a sub-group/working party to consider such matters (including membership and pre-appointment issues) as and when it sees fit

•        the sub-group can then make recommendations to the full SACRE.

•        the terms of reference and membership of such sub-groups will be set by the SACRE as and when required

•        the sub-group would ordinarily be an advisory body, not a decision making body so that the final decision is still made in accordance with the Act's required voting/quorum provisions

The purpose of the report is to remind SACRE of the legal requirement to review its agreed syllabus every five years and to inform SACRE of the plans being made to convene the Agreed Syllabus Conference at its next meeting in order to meet this requirement.

RECOMMENDED that the Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) is convened at the spring meeting to agree to move to review Living Difference III.

To receive a report from Patricia Hannam (SACRE's Professional Adviser) on the activities of national RE bodies such as the Religious Education Council (REC) and The National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) as well as other local matters of significance not discussed elsewhere in this agenda.

RECOMMENDED that SACRE notes the report and agrees to send 2

delegates to the NASACRE conference on 18th May 2020.

To receive the draft Portsmouth SACRE Annual Report 2018/19, which sets out the annual activities undertaken.

RECOMMENDED that the Portsmouth SACRE Annual Report is received and forwarded to the relevant national and local bodies.

Mike Stoneman reports that the attached guidance document has now been published and circulated, so is brought to SACRE for noting.

The Professional Adviser will give a verbal update on the proposal to bring forward a policy for determinations to a future meeting.  This relates to applications to consider whether it is appropriate for the requirements for Christian collective worship to apply to the school making the request.

The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday 18 March 2020, starting at 4:30pm.

The spring meeting will be held at the Civic Offices or Guildhall.

An offer to host at a faith venue for the summer meeting would be welcomed.

Recommended that the date and venue of the next meeting be noted.