To receive apologies for non-attendance submitted by SACRE Members.

Cllr Chip Tofan (CCT), Selina Day (SD, Marjon), Professor David Salter (PDS, Quaker Community), Giles Freathy (GF, Marjon, RE Lecturer), Bhai Gurmit Singh (BGS, Sikh Community), Sarah Lakey (SL, Diocesan Board of Exeter)

Chair welcomed LN (Pagan Community) as the new SACRE member. LN will be taking over NG who is now going to represent Pagan Community on Devon SACRE.

Chair informed the Panel that AP is no longer a member of Plymouth SACRE.

Chair also welcomed some young students from DHSG who were attending the meeting to share why RE is important to them.

Chair welcomed Wendy Bratherton and her guest who is a Norse Pagan. Wendy informed the Panel that she is currently working with her child’s school to help increase the understanding of her community’s beliefs and traditions, enriching the school’s pastoral and R.E. curriculum.

Members will be asked to make any declarations of interest in respect of items on this agenda.

  Chair and DDS are PCFCD’s trustees

  Chair, CSC, CSD and CKW support PCFCD from Councillor Grants fund.

  SW is PCFCD’s manager and AF is the Chair of trustees.

5 students from DHSG gave an account of what they are learning in RE and how it has made a positive impact culturally, socially and academically. The Panel appreciated students’ positive views and their ambitions to use RE for their personal and professional development in their lives.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2024.

The Committee agreed that minutes from the last meeting held on 12 November 2024 were an accurate record of meeting with the following amendments:

·         On page 6 of the minutes there is a typo under the heading, ‘Plymouth Centre for Faith & Cultural Diversity’, on the first line “tart” should read “start”.

On Page 3, Para 3, line 3, ‘DB’ should read ‘DT’

To receive reports on business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be brought forward for urgent consideration.

None

SACRE Budget Position 2024/2025 – (1^st April 2024 – 31^st March 2025) – updated, Spring 2025.

Annual resources: £13,105 (£12000 ESG+ £1105 Revenue)

In-Year spend (Update to Month 10 – Actual to 05/02/25): (£15,372 Total)

Planned / Projected Remaining Spend (01/04/24 to 31/03/25): £300-430 (Total) Approx.

In-Year Income: £2701 (Total)

Projected Income: £0

Projected Balance: £434 (£13,105 – {In Year Spend £-15,327 + Income £2701 = £12,671} = £434

Projected Remaining Resource: £? (as per SACRE expenses claims, sub-group activity / expenses, conference attendance etc. to April 25)

Please refer to ‘LAOtS Update Spring 2025 MH’ in the agenda pack for full details.

SW clarified that £3000 for PCFCD’s SHAP calendar is not just for the calendars but a whole host of other work as well. In a response to a question from CS, SW replied that £3000 funding to PCFCD from Plymouth SACRE was for the whole financial year. Chair clarified that PCFCD received this money after a successful funding bid, and this funding is not linked with Recovery Fund which is not managed by SACRE.

MH clarified that SACRE is allotted an amount of money every year. Some of that money comes from schools’ budget. This year some revenue also came from the conference.

Chair said that it is a positive move that we have managed to spend the budget and look forward to spending it again this time next year.

EP shared the following updates:

The Plymouth SACRE annual report for 2023/4 has been completed and sent around to SACRE members for comments. None were submitted. This report will now be sent to the DfE and NASACRE.

Before finalising, SACRE members were asked to comment on the way the report represents schools' data for GCSE and A level exam outcomes.

It is national practice, agreed with the DfE, that SACRE reports can publish the GCSE outcomes data for local schools. However, several members expressed unease about this practice. In conclusion, it was decided that the report will redact the names of schools in the data tables.

It was highlighted that some schools are missing on the data tables.

This report was shared with the Panel via email after the meeting.

EP to send a list of the schools to MH that he has been in contact with.

As above agenda item

EP is going to run some training courses, both for primary and secondary schools in Ivybridge in the summer 2025. There will be a survey going out to Plymouth schools in May 2025 to get their feedback on the new syllabus.

EP shared slides on Ofsted reports in the City since the last meeting in Nov 2024. In Primary Schools, EP has contacted Oakwood Primary around inspectors’ comments on ‘diversity in society’ and offered SACRE’s support. There has been a deep dive at Shakespeare and Eggbuckland Vale Primary. Comments about Mary Dean, ‘understanding and celebrating different cultures and faiths’ is very positive. Leigham Primary’s report contains positive comments about how the rich personal development programme exposes people to different faiths, cultures and lifestyles. EP has written to the school to acknowledge their efforts. Some positive comments were made on Woodford’s, Ernesettle’s and Brook Green’s reports too.

SW commented that all those schools with positive comments do use PCFCD services.

KF stated that as multi academy trust model now provides training among their school groups, it has been really difficult to communicate with individual schools. They are trying to find ways to get in touch with hard-to-reach schools. She added that it is just not RE leaders who need their support, it's also those teachers that are particularly in primary schools that are teaching RE every week and don't access that training. Putting something online every now and again is really helpful for them because they can just log-on and get some ideas straight into their classroom. This will bring people together to access this for free to help them in the RE classroom.

JR had put a lot of work into contacting a speaker to come and speak at the hub meeting but unfortunately, at he last meeting the speaker didn't turn up. KF had to use some training slides but it was not ideal. Therefore, there is a need in Plymouth to gather and regroup to train and support RE teachers especially in primary schools. KF had originally stepped back but in the light of this she will carry on her role. In the absence of JR there is a need for a secondary lead.

EP said that we've got a conference planned in Autumn 2025 and meetings at end of March 2025 and summer term. The conference will be in St Mellion again for the local area of the Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth.

Regarding RE Hubs, EP shared slide on national and regional website. He stated that a number of people from Plymouth SACRE are represented on the website. Locally, schools now can find PCFCD, Plymouth Synagogue and other places in the Southwest. Local accredited speakers can also be found. He added that all of the PCFCD speakers are now linked through this network and effectively it is a one-stop-shop. RE jobs can also be advertised now on this website and the calendar can take you to the local events. They also arrange  CPD. MAT & Federation RE Leads meetings, the next meeting is on 1 April 2025. This is a great place for RE leaders needing networking opportunities.

EP also talked about NATRE response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review. Details shared on the slides.

EP shared a slide regarding a webinar on ‘Developing a Religion and Worldwide Views in RE in England’. KF also shared an Interfaith Webinar link. This was recorded by Jonathan Marshall, KF and representatives from the Welsh Interfaith Forum and RE Today. This is a free resource that can be used by secondary teachers.

EP has already submitted a response to DfE regarding ongoing curriculum review on behalf of Plymouth SACRE.

KF stated that before the submission, reps from NATRE were called to a meeting with other subject associations. They were told that when they submit evidence to the curriculum and assessment review, they should put in big asks or to offer opinion. It was about real hardcore evidence, so they used a lot of primary and secondary survey data from across the country about the picture of RE. They talked about what happens to that statutory requirement, how to ensure that schools are keeping to it, who monitors it, what does that look like etc. They highlighted a lot of issues and also mentioned where things are going well.

EP added that national curriculum was also discussed.  Some RE organisations such as the Religious Education Council have surveyed their members on it. It was not a requirement. It was something that they chose to do. They were broadly in favour of a national curriculum in RE.

EP talked about different views presented by delegates as to whether RE should be part of the national curriculum and shared some comments from RE leaders on this subject. More comments.

EP shared the slides on ‘REC: member survey on Curriculum and Assessment Review’. There was an equal support both for and against RE to be part of the national curriculum (39%) where the content is determined by the government.

Panel shared their thoughts on ‘Right of Withdrawal’, British values, local context,

KF said that if RE becomes part of the national curriculum then SACRE role will change.

EP shared slides on Lord Bilimoria’s article on Politics.co.uk showing the importance of RE

EP stated that Southwest SACRE conference took place on 4th March 2025. There were number of delegates from Plymouth Sacre and in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

a.      Chair reminded that we are seeking more members for a group of volunteers to review Plymouth SACRE constitution to make sure that it is up-to-date and fit for purpose. Only 1-2 meetings  will be required. Chair, EP, KF and MS has already volunteered. All to inform Chair, EP or MH if interested.

b. EP gave updates on a review of special school provision for R.E. and said that he will be meeting with CW next week along with Becky Dacosta, who is LTLRE lead to scope this activity. EP is hoping they will have a day together with special school experts soon. MC has already volunteered to be a part of this activity.

AF stated that in response to the year's theme "For a Better Future" Plymouth City Council and PCFCD hosted both the HMD Civic Reception and the public commemoration in the Council House Chambers on Tuesday 28th January 2025. This year also marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the 30th anniversary of the conflict in Bosnia. Due to Storm Éowyn / Herminia the public event normally held in the Peace Garden on the Hoe was moved indoors for health and safety purposes. Over fifty invited guests attended a one-hour Civic commemoration programme with contributions from The Lord Mayor, Deputy-Leader of the Council, the Jewish Community, Rwandan Community, those with disabilities, Plymouth’s Young Poet Laureate and memorable music pieces specially composed for the occasion by A-Level students at Devonport High School for Boys. Personal reflections were interspersed by multi-media slideshows and videos. 

A similar number of guests including the public enjoyed a shorter 15-minute programme at midday.       

A special note of thanks to Kevin McKenzie, the PCC support team and staff at the Lord Mayor’s Office for their time and help in coordinating the logistics and working on the programme on behalf of Plymouth City Council.

SW updated members on PCFCD as follows:

• Busy term as anticipated – 122 requests so far, most for multiple sessions or visits!

• Services4Schools payment – made 18 December 2024 for the 24/25 FY and final list of subscribing schools provided on 12 Dec 2024.

Schools now being asked to select their services for 2025/26 FY

SACRE Funding Update:

SHAP Calendars now arrived – ordered 120, only received 70 in the end – secondary schools will receive a link for online calendar

FS Training – w/c 10 February – 5 new speakers trained and more training planned for w/c 24 March. Still desperately need more speakers, particularly Hindu & Jewish

Workshops and Visits for Primary and Secondary schools currently being booked in for March 2025

2025/26 Funding  - KF & SW need to meet and progress

SW also stated that they are receiving enquiries about the whereabouts of the Holocaust Memorial Plaque in the Peace Garden that was damaged recently.

AF informed the Panel that she had been in contact with Cllr Penberthy (Cabinet Member). Cllr Penberthy has advised that the plaque is currently with Plymouth City Council who have sent it off for repairs. There was a minor damage on the surface. Once repaired, it will be returned to the Peace Garden. Repairs timescales are not known at this stage.

Chair to contact with Cllr Penberthy in this regard.

On behalf of CS, Chair informed the Panel that the Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) will be raised at the Guildhall flagpole on April 13th at 10:30. The Lord Mayor has been invited to attend. Vaisakhi is the birth of the Khalsa Panth. All are invited to attend.

The next meeting will be held at Council House on 3 July 2025 at 1.30pm

The next meeting will be held at 1:30pm on Thursday 3 July 2025, Warspite Room, Council House.