The Lewisham Council Agreed Syllabus Committee (ASC) met to discuss membership, elect a chair and vice-chair, and outline their future work. The committee was also scheduled to discuss training for members and the application of a code of conduct. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Civic Suite Rushey Green in Catford.

Outline of Future Work

The committee was scheduled to discuss the structure and terminology of their work going forward, as well as how it applies to different key stages of education:

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
• Key Stage 1 and 2
• Key Stage 3
• Key Stage 4
• Key Stage 5

The report pack indicated that faith and belief representatives would review relevant sections for accurate faith content. Teachers would review sections for appropriate educational content, and local authority representatives would review sections in light of Lewisham's community and context. There would also be phase-specific reviews, including discussions with relevant partner bodies.

The committee was also scheduled to discuss reviewing Oak Academy resources and holding teacher working parties, including a Lewisham Primary RE Teachers' Consultation Meeting. The report pack stated that the ASC would regularly meet to discuss and agree on the outcome of this work as it progresses.

Code of Conduct

The committee was scheduled consider the application of the SACRE _ ASC code of conduct to the ASC. The code of conduct states that:

All representatives should:

• be nominated by a respected professional body and / or faith and belief community and have the support of their nominating body behind them
• regularly attend the meetings of SACRE and take part in the deliberations and work of SACRE
• where attendance is difficult, aim to ensure a substitute member is nominated who can attend
• ensure apologies are submitted when attendance is not possible
• demonstrate respect to the work of the SACRE and its Chair
• participate in and share the work of SACRE for the benefit of the whole community
• actively challenge and resist stereotyping
• work with all other members of SACRE , in the spirit of trust and collaboration where all are concerned with the best interests of SACRE and its work
• state views and opinions honestly, whilst respecting and listening to each other's contributions, not denigrating each other's views or beliefs
• respect the rights of other members to disagree with your point of view
• express differing points of view in a spirit of respectful disagreement
• understand that it is not the place of RE to challenge the beliefs of any member of the school community or to attempt to change those beliefs
• have respect for the work of SACRE, believing that the RE and collective worship that all students are legally entitled to experience should be of the highest quality.

The code also outlines specific expectations for belief group representatives, teacher and teacher association representatives, and local authority representatives.

Other Business

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• Welcome, introductions and apologies
• Membership news
• Election of a Chair for the ASC
• Election of a Vice-Chair for the ASC (who should have been a member of SACRE for at least a year)
• Training for Members of the ASC
• Any Other Business