Minutes:
The Chairman advised SACRE Members that Catherine Robson would no longer be attending SACRE meetings as her role had now changed. A card for Catherine Robson was circulated for members to sign.
The Chairman also thanked the Specialist Inspector for Religious Education for her work on the Agreed Syllabus which had generated funds for Durham County Council.
The Vice-Chairman advised SACRE members that she had attended the RE Conference on Monday organised by Durham Education Development Service on Religious Education. The event was outstanding and it was interesting that it was not only attended by teachers from the County but it drew in teachers from Darlington, Newcastle, Northumberland, Stockton and Sunderland. The Vice-Chairman thought this was amazing and was due to the work done by the Specialist Inspector for Religious Education.
The Vice-Chairman also advised SACRE members that she had recently attended a Church of England Meeting where controlled schools were being encouraged to use the Diocesan Syllabus for Religious Education. She sought clarification if controlled schools were legally able to use this syllabus instead of the LEA Agreed Syllabus.
The Specialist Inspector for Religious Education responded that it was her understanding that controlled schools used the LEA Agreed Syllabus but she would clarify the legal position and advise the Chairman accordingly.
Members discussed the matter in details and asked the Chair once the legal position had been clarified to write to the Board of Education and the Bishop.
Resolved:
1. That clarification on the legal position be sought with regard to the use of the Diocesan Controlled Syllabus in controlled schools.
2. That the Chairman writes to the Board of Education and the Bishop once the legal position had been clarified.