Minutes:
The Specialist Inspector for Religious Education informed members that teachers will receive a 3 hour training and launch package which includes a copy of the revised Agreed Syllabus, training and guidance materials.
The Specialist Inspector for Religious Education was asked a question about whether Durham would be selling the Agreed Syllabus to other Authorities. The Inspector replied that Sunderland and Hartlepool local authorities have a contract with Durham for buying and adapting the Syllabus. Durham has ensured that they have maintained the copyright so that schools in the Authorities have the right only to use the Syllabus in their own schools. The inspector also stated that other institutions would have to get permission from the Local Authority at a cost.
Further discussions took place regarding Academies using the Agreed Syllabus. The Specialist Inspector for Religious Education advised members that the Local Authority is ‘Academy friendly’. The aim is for Academies to buy into services. Decisions about funding agreements for use of the Agreed Syllabus were still being considered. The Inspector will be writing to Head Teachers shortly about this.