Minutes:
Councillor Dixon sought clarification if there had been an increase in cases of racism in relation to Islam.
Members were advised that the Community Safety Co-Ordinator would be the relevant officer. Councillor Dixon asked if it would be possible for the Community Safety Co-Ordinator to provide SACRE with some figures on racism in schools for information.
The Subject Improvement Advisor indicated that if the racism was in relation to Religious Education or Collective Worship in schools then she would also need to be advised in addition to the Community Safety Co-Ordinator as many Headteachers and parents contacted her to seek advice in relation to this matter.
Councillor Dixon referred to the Syrian refugees located in Newton Aycliffe who were having to travel to Darlington for Islamic Friday prayers and he sought clarification as to whether a local school could offer their premises for Friday prayers to take place without the need for travel to Darlington.
Members were advised that several years ago Durham SACRE had discussed whether schools should make a prayer room available for Muslim pupils to use throughout the school day. It was decided at the time that SACRE did not generally recommend schools to do this without careful consideration. There would also be issues with schools being used for local community prayers during the school day.