Agenda item

One person from each group to provide feedback to update the final document.

Faith Group summarised feedback

·         What does “must have regard” mean for practitioners? Should there be an explanation or will practitioners know what this means.

·         Cynefin – is more definition required?

·         Suggested to add “in Wales, [the UK] and the wider world” wherever mentioned. Consensus that UK should be added.

·         Develop secure values and establish their ethical beliefs and spirituality through the exploration of religion and non-religious philosophical convictions on a range of issues, which can in turn enable [help] them to form positive relationships based upon trust and mutual respect.   Consensus to maintain “enable”

·         “In addition, the guidance may also be useful to practitioners, regional consortia, awarding bodies, Estyn, teacher unions, religious organisations, non-religious organisations, parents and carers and other bodies in Wales with an interest in RVE.”  Agreed

·         The reference to philosophical convictions is to philosophical convictions within the meaning of Article 2 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights;  Is some clarification needed? Agreed the section to be reworded with more clarity whilst keeping it manageable for teachers.   

·         Some duplication was identified.

·         How are principal religions defined? Teachers need to know.

Chair to work with RE Adviser to reword section

·         misspelling of Cynefin on p.8

·         What is the complaints procedure?  How do SACs consider complaints especially as there is no legal power to enforce change. Training would be required.

Teaching Group summarised feedback:

·         In terms of context the three representatives present today are all from primary phase, all from Magor/Undy with two from VA schools that follow a faith syllabus - not necessarily balanced.

·         Light touch approach to review as teachers are used to reading similar guidance

·         What is the difference between to RVE as mandatory and all the other subjects that must be taught? Teachers regard all subjects as mandatory. When learners choose options at secondary, subjects aren’t required by law.

·         Re: p.6 Audience - Who should have regard to the curriculum” should there be a statement that faith schools have their own syllabus to follow. This might not be well – known. VA schools have their own syllabus and VC schools have had the option to choose the locally agreed syllabus or a faith syllabus. Clarification might be needed. 

·         P.8 sentence “This will require specialists to teach RVE and specialists to have input in designing RVE within the humanities” – is that statement relevant to the previous sentence (post 16).  In Primary schools, teachers are multi-disciplinary, this statement could be interpreted as specialists are required in primary? If it is the case, what is the definition of specialist.

LA Group summarised feedback:

·         Chair to add Foreword

·         P.4 where ‘religion’ is referred to it should be noted that we refer to Christianity and other principal religions and where the term “non-religious” is used, we refer to “non-religious philosophical convictions”.  Agreed

·         Good discussion on the added bullet points - need to refine the two points referring to Article 2 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights and Principal Religions. Chair and RE Adviser to reword.

·          The following point should be made bold:

In accordance with the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 the Agreed Syllabus reflects that:

•   the religious traditions in Wales are in the main Christian while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Wales;

·         the fact that a range of non-religious philosophical convictions are held in Wales;

·         To note: Schools should take note that Christianity and other principal religions remains the legal requirement in the agreed syllabus under the Education Act 1996 and there is no necessity for a consideration of European Case Law. or different denominations or types of belief within the same religion.  Agreed

·         Collective worship: Collective Worship is distinctive from, and additional to, curriculum time given to RVE. Collective worship sits outside the curriculum and has its own legal standing and requirements and must be wholly of mainly of a broadly Christian character.  Parents may still request that their children are withdrawn from collective worship if they wish.

Next Steps:

·         RE Adviser to amend and refine the document. Send out a further document with time to make more amendments. Opportunity for members not here today to make comments.

The Chair thanked everyone for their involvement.