Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair noted that no members of Group C were present and, in accordance with the SACRE Constitution, the meeting was therefore inquorate and could not be convened as a formal meeting.  It was agreed that the meeting would proceed on an informal basis, with notes taken.  With the agreement of members present, it was noted that any comments or minor actions arising from the informal discussion would be reported to and, where necessary, confirmed at the next quorate meeting.

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting, and acknowledged important faith observances taking place recently or in the near future, including Wesak, Easter, and Passover.

Apologies were received from Nast Moussa Emam (Group A), Sarah Hodgson (Group C), and Councillor Robert Heseltine (Group D).

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2025 as an accurate record.

As the meeting was not quorate, consideration of the minutes of the previous meeting was deferred to the next meeting.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Edward Maxwell, Clerk to North Yorkshire SACRE (contact details below) by midday on Thursday 16 April, three working days before the day of the meeting.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item. Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

·         at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·         when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

To receive a training session on monitoring RE in schools.

The Committee received a training presentation which revisited the statutory role of SACRE, with particular emphasis on how members may assure themselves of the standards of Religious Education and collective worship in North Yorkshire schools.  It was noted that SACRE has a legal duty to advise the local authority on RE in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus and on collective worship, and that effective oversight requires an understanding of how the syllabus is being interpreted and implemented in different school contexts.  The presentation outlined current sources of evidence available to SACRE, including annual school questionnaires, inspection information, examination and workforce data, professional adviser reports, and presentations from schools, while also emphasising the distinction between compliance monitoring and celebrating the wider educational impact of RE.

Discussion focused on whether SACRE currently has sufficient direct insight into practice in schools.  It was acknowledged that opportunities for school visits and direct engagement with pupils and staff had reduced in recent years, particularly following the move to virtual meetings.  Members reflected on the value of previous visits in reinforcing SACRE’s understanding of lived experience in schools and validating the Committee’s work within the wider education community.  Members emphasised that any renewed programme of visits should be clearly positioned as supportive and developmental, rather than judgemental, and distinct from local authority school improvement activity.  The importance of effective communication with schools about SACRE’s role and purpose was highlighted.

The Committee supported further exploration of school visits as a means of strengthening SACRE’s understanding of RE provision and collective worship.  It was agreed that a small-scale “test and learn” approach would be taken, involving volunteer schools and a limited number of SACRE members working in partnership with local authority officers.  This would enable visit protocols, questions and documentation to be trialled and refined before any wider rollout.  It was noted that this work would inform future consideration of longer-term arrangements, including potential member-school links, and would support the development of more evidence-rich annual reporting and targeted support for schools.

Agreed:  That:

a)    The training be noted, and the Professional RE Adviser be thanked for presenting it.

b)    That the results of any initial tests be reported back to the future meetings of SACRE.

Members to hear a presentation from a member of the SACRE on an aspect of their work or faith, to increase awareness and understanding.

It was agreed that, due to the absence of the member presenting this item, it be deferred to a future meeting.

To inform Members on work undertaken by the Professional RE Adviser since the last SACRE meeting, and to provide members with local and national updates on RE.

The Committee received the Professional Adviser’s update, which highlighted recent activity since the previous meeting, including subject networks and training for RE leads.  It was noted that some planned training had not proceeded due to low take‑up, reflecting wider pressures on schools locally and nationally, although those sessions that did run continued to provide opportunities for professional dialogue and sharing effective practice.  The Adviser also referred members to updates on national developments affecting RE.

Members were updated on significant national work arising from the Curriculum and Assessment Review, including extensive sector engagement led by Dr. Vanessa Ogden and draft programmes of study submitted to the Secretary of State.  It was noted that recommendations included consideration of Religious Education becoming a national curriculum subject, alongside a proposed enhanced role for SACREs, particularly in relation to community cohesion and support for schools.  Members were also informed of the Government’s Protecting What Matters policy paper, which identified Religious Education, religious literacy and SACREs as contributing to social cohesion.  It was recognised that the implications of these developments, including timescales and legislative changes, remain subject to ministerial response.

The Committee discussed the potential implications of national policy change, including the continued importance of local context, engagement with schools and faith communities, and the future role of SACRE regardless of any change in the legal status of RE.  Members noted the significance of the current period for RE nationally and welcomed the Adviser’s commitment to provide further updates as information becomes available.

Agreed:  That the report be noted.

To inform Members on work undertaken by the Local Authority since the last SACRE meeting.

The Committee received an update from the Local Authority on activity since the previous meeting.  It was noted that SACRE communications to schools had continued, including the distribution of Ramadan guidance, and that the SACRE Annual Report had been presented to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Members were informed of positive feedback received from councillors on the breadth and quality of the report, together with comments relating to GCSE outcomes data and the relatively low response rate from secondary schools to the RE survey.  It was noted that officers would seek to increase engagement from secondary schools with completing the survey during the current term.

An update was provided on recent Ofsted inspection activity within North Yorkshire. Members noted that only a small number of inspection reports had been published during the period covered, reflecting delays in Ofsted signing off and publishing the inspection reports.  Extracts from published reports were highlighted, including positive references to pupils’ retention and understanding of knowledge about worldviews in some schools, alongside areas for development in others.  The Committee thanked officers for the ongoing monitoring of inspection outcomes and for keeping members informed.

Agreed:  That the report be noted.

Members to review and comment on the SACRE Development Plan 2024-26.

The Clerk presented the report and highlighted the actions which had been discussed, and how they contributed to Objective 2 of the Development Plan.

Agreed:  That the report be noted.

The next meeting of the SACRE will take place on Tuesday 16 June 2026, at 4:00pm.  It will be an in-person meeting, held in The Brierley meeting room, County Hall, Northallerton.

The date of the next meeting, on Tuesday 16 June at 16:00, was noted. 

Members were reminded that it would be an in-person meeting, at County Hall, with refreshments available from 15:00 to 16:00, and after the meeting closed.  The Chair hoped that as many members as possible could join for the meeting, and looked forward to the opportunity to meet face to face.