Minutes:
Paula Webber, RE Adviser kindly provided a presentation to update everyone on developments since the previous meeting covering the following:
· Curriculum and Assessment Development: a few adjustments were made following receipt of consultation responses. The Curriculum and Assessment Bill is now law. Our agreed syllabus has to have regard to the Curriculum for Wales and Humanities AoLE. The slides outlining the main changes were circulated.
· National Professional Learning: EAS has begun Senior Leadership professional learning. Middle Leadership training will start after half term. Meetings with Head of Humanities and Heads of RVE are arranged. Paula is available to meet with schools in the County also the curriculum leads from Learning Network Schools for curriculum development.
· Funding for a programme of National Professional Learning for RVE: the news that funding for Professional Learning has been granted was welcomed.
· RVE supporting framework – it is believed this is completed in draft. We await notification of arrangements for consultation.
· Qualification Wales Consultation: there is no update available. SACRE’s response was submitted and the outcome is awaited.
· GCSE and A Level: It was acknowledged that teachers are under significant pressure carrying out assessment at both levels.
· SACRE Role in Monitoring and Supporting RVE: Guidance is expected. It was agreed that SACRE should discuss this responsibility and in the meantime Hwb access was requested for SACRE Members who wish to access resources.
· Estyn: Future inspection methods, and the role of SACRE, was queried. It was agreed that WASACRE should be asked if there are plans to meet with Estyn. An update was provided about changes to inspection due to the pandemic and to changes in the regulations for collecting and recording data. Inspections will not contain judgements and standards witnessed will be exemplified in the text. Self-evaluation will be key. SACRE should satisfy itself about schools’ management in delivering the curriculum in RVE. As a starting point, we re will request a position statement facilitated by the EAS. [ACTION: SRS]
· Ministerial Working Party (BAME contributions, community and Cynefin in the new curriculum): The RE Adviser will ascertain if there is a link to the recording available. 51 recommendations have been accepted by Welsh Government with £500,000 for implementation in Wales. There must be a whole school approach and RVE will form a significant part. SACRE needs to discuss what SACRE can do to support schools.
· EAS Humanities Podcasts: A selection are conveniently available on the EAS website.
· Resources for Schools: Recommended resources are available from the Interfaith Network (UK). The link should be sent out to schools but the content may have to be adapted to comply.
A Member of the group made the following points:
· The presentation slides were requested.
· Regarding BAME, it was pointed out that Faith Groups have not been consulted. It was agreed this is an important point. It was queried if there will be a similar consultation with faith and belief. This point will be raised with WASACRE.
· For the consultation on the draft RVE framework, it was requested that the link is circulated to all members.
· Regarding the Estyn consultation recently circulated, it was noted that comments were made during the processing of the Bill and some inaccuracies were noted.
· There are no changes to S50 inspection of faith schools.
· EAS has a “Supporting our Schools” website which could be used an alternative to Hwb or in the interim. It was confirmed that there is a Humanities section, with a RVE section with details of each SACRE, some resources and podcasts. A RVE playlist is planned to be added.
· Further details were requested about comments and recommendations fed back and not taken forward. It was confirmed that the comments and recommendations were considered in a robust process e.g. discussed by the Children and Young People’s and Education Committee and voted upon in the Senedd.
Paula was thanked for her report.