Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

The minutes of the meeting of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education dated 5^th November 2015 were confirmed and signedby the Chairman. 

In doing so, the following points were noted:

• Following discussion regarding RE days it was agreed that we wished to see these days continue.  Caldicot School were keen to go ahead in the spring 2016 and discussion followed to whether all schools needed to carry out the RE days in the same term.  It was agreed that in order to judge the impact and outcomes there should be similar timing.  We heard that Chepstow School and King Henry VIII School had confirmed they were unable to carry out the RE day next year due to inspections, and no reply had been received as yet from Monmouth School.  It was agreed that Caldicot School would still go ahead as planned.

Members were advised of the responses from schools regarding the implementation of the Welsh Baccalaureate on RE. In doing so the following points were noted:

• King Henry V111, Rhian Davies

From September 2015 all students would study RS Full Course which means that time has been gained due to the introduction of the Welsh Baccalaureate.

• Monmouth, Sharon Perry-Philips

Pupils who did not choose RE at Key Stage 4 study some RE via the Welsh

Baccalaureate which is taught by form tutors. However, this situation creates difficulty in monitoring the RE skills being covered.

• Caldicot, Andrew Jones

All pupils would continue to do full course RS, however teaching time had been reduced at Key Stage 4 from four hours a fortnight, to three hours a fortnight teaching although this was not due to the Welsh Baccalaureate.

• Chepstow, Chris Jenkins

There was no impact from the Welsh Baccalaureate impact this year. RS Full Course continued to be taught to higher sets; three sets in Yr 11 and two sets in Yr 10, sitting a Short Course exam at the end of Yr 10, then topping it up with a second at the end of Yr 11; but with only a single hour per week to achieve this - but results were good.  Lower sets did a single Short Course in one hour a week across the two years. The Welsh Baccalaureate co-ordinator had only recently returned from maternity leave, next year may prove different.

Members of the group felt that schools would suffer by not having an RS qualification and the issue should be raised with WJEC and Welsh Government.  We heard that other SACREs had received the same kind of responses.  There was concern that the Welsh Baccalaureate would see RS being cut and may make the full course optional.  Suggestion was made that RE should be made a statutory examination. It was recommended that a letter be sent to WASACRE to highlight the reflections and to advise the next steps.

Members received the Annual Report and were advised to forward any comments to the RE Consultant by Friday 27^th November 2015.

Members received detail of a presentation made to WASACRE, and were advised to consider the detail as an opportunity for SACRE representatives across Wales to share ideas regarding good practice.

It was agreed that Members should take some time to consider the ideas and that they would be brought to future meetings for further discussion. 

It was noted that an area to consider would be suggestions on encouraging non-conformists to join SACRE. 

It was agreed that point 1 – How can members contribute to the work of SACREs would be added to the next agenda.

Members received a presentation of the RE provision at non-maintained settings across Monmouthshire.  In doing so the following points were noted:

• Red Robins Nursery had received Muslim visitors, and more information would be helpful for other nurseries.
• Cross Ash Under Fives would welcome a visit from SACRE members to discuss Divali.
• SACRE representative for Baha’i Faith would be happy to visit nurseries and present story regarding unity.
• RE Consultant to compose generic letter to commend non-maintained settings on the work being done.

·         Undy Primary – inspection summary and self-evaluation

·         Castle Park Primary – inspection summary and self-evaluation

·         Pembroke Primary – inspection summary

·         Trellech Primary – inspection summary

·         Mounton House – inspection summary

·         Bluebell – inspection summary

We received a summary of inspection report and self-evaluations from the following schools:

• Undy Primary School – positive report with no major concerns.  Could go back to the school to ask what further support is needed.

• Castle Park Primary School – will ensure they are using the Wales version of incerts and making use of the support material

• Pembroke Primary School – Head teacher intends to complete self-evaluation form in the following week.

• Trellech Community Primary School – will chase for self-evaluation form.

• Mounton House Special School – no self-evaluation received.

• Bluebelle Nursery – positively encouraged and will provide further support.

We were informed that King Henry VIII self-evaluation would be discussed at the next meeting

·         To consider letter from Huw Lewis regarding future status of RE

·         To consider further developments in the review and new curriculum design –

A Curriculum for Wales – a curriculum for life

Members discussed the letter of response received by WASACRE regarding the changes in the curriculum.  In doing so we noted the following;

• The Minister had confirmed the commitment to RE in the National Curriculum.
• RS was difficult to manage with all different faith groups and Welsh Government were not aware of all the implications.
• The RE Consultant held a list of names leading on development, which held representatives from each consortium.
• We would receive an update on New Deal Schools at the next meeting.
• Recommend that a representative from EAS be invited to the next SACRE meeting to discuss further.

Members received the November Cyton Policy Bulletin for information.  Members agreed it would be useful to receive regular updates, particularly regarding Afghan interpreters as Monmouthshire had been offered as a welcome place.

·         To receive and note minutes from the last WASACRE meeting 25^th June 2015

·         To note dates of future WASACRE meetings

Members received, for information, the minutes from the WASACRE meeting held on 25^th June 2015.  In doing so the following points were noted:

• Engaging Boys in RE – a cd rom was available to every secondary school in Wales and would be forwarded to Monmouthshire schools with a covering letter.  Members expressed thanks to Mary Parry for the information.
• Information regarding Collective Worship, considered a useful resource, was available on the WASACRE website.
• Advice was being composed on withdrawal procedures.
• The next meeting of WASACRE would be held on 25^th November in Blaenau Gwent.

Members noted that the Holocaust Memorial Day would be held on 27^th January 2016.   Further information about the theme and free educational resources,

including material suitable for primary to post 16 students, was available online at http://education.hmd.org.uk.

·         To receive copy of Autumn 2015 News Bulletin

·         Information briefings from members for inclusion in the next SACRE News Bulletin

Members received the SACRE News Bulletin for information, and were invited to share briefings for inclusion in the next bulletin.

• The value of Religious Education talk had been given to 200 people, organised by SACRE and had been reported in the Sikh Messenger.
• Cardiff Interfaith Booklet was available to SACRE and could be requested by schools.
• Upcoming events include Festival of Light, Christmas and Hanukkah.
• The Baha’i Faith had celebrated The Festival of the Twin Birthdays.
• Representatives from the Muslim Faith had visited years 8 and 10 in secondary schools, which had benefitted both parties.
• Andrew Jones to share presentation on challenging extremism at future meeting.

·         Friday 11^th March 2016

·         Friday 10^th June 2016

We agreed that the next meetings of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education would be held at Innovation House, Magor (subject to availability) at 1.30pm on the following dates:

Friday 11^th March 2016

Friday 10^th June 2016