Minutes:
The report of the LASIS (formerly EAS) RVE Adviser (as below) was delivered by the Head of Service, Achievement and Extended Services.
1. Curriculum for Wales and RVE Support
LASIS continued to provide guidance and professional learning to support schools with the effective implementation of RVE within the Curriculum for Wales. This included advice on curriculum design within the Humanities Area, guidance on using the Monmouthshire Agreed Syllabus, and support for planning for progression in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics.
2. Professional Learning and School Support
A range of
RVE?focused professional learning sessions is being delivered
regionally, including support for enquiry?led learning through
collaboration with partner schools.
Monmouthshire schools have engaged with some of these
opportunities; however, further uptake would be beneficial.
Individual schools received targeted support on curriculum
development and self?evaluation where requested.
3. Estyn and Self?Evaluation
Schools were supported in understanding Estyn’s expectations relating to RVE within the current inspection framework. LASIS provided guidance on integrating RVE within whole?school self?evaluation processes and on the effective use of pupil voice to inform improvement planning.
4. National and Regional Collaboration
LASIS continued to contribute to national and regional groups, including collaboration with Welsh Government and NAPfRE, to share emerging guidance and promote high?quality and consistent RVE provision. Relevant updates were shared with schools and with SAC members as appropriate.
5. Priorities Moving Forward
Key priorities for the Spring term include:
Strengthening curriculum design and progression in RVE
Funding has been allocated to support the development of RVE within the secondary sector, and several Monmouthshire schools have expressed interest in participating. The work will focus on:
Providing continued professional learning
LASIS will continue to offer professional learning and respond to the emerging needs of individual schools to support high?quality RVE provision.
Following presentation of the above points questions and comments were invited from SAC Members.
1.. In terms of Curriculum Models and Guidance, Schools are actively reviewing different curriculum models and schemes to determine the best fit for their context and curriculum delivery. Welsh Government provided separate guidance for both Church in Wales and Roman Catholic schools during the development of the RVE curriculum, with links to the agreed syllabus.
2. It was emphasised that RVE delivery must take account of the distinctive faith nature of Church in Wales and Roman Catholic schools, while still meeting national curriculum requirements.
3. Catholic schools are required to dedicate 10% of curriculum time to RE as part of their faith teaching. This creates some **timetable pressure**, and schools therefore explore different schemes to balance Catholic teaching with RVE statutory elements.
Despite the challenges, there are no concerns about compliance, and some schools are using the curriculum in enlightening and inspirational ways.
4. Catholic schools, such as those represented by Bev Bannon, rely on resources provided by the Archdiocese. It was confirmed that these resources are compatible with what schools must present as part of their Catholic identity and RVE obligations.
Collective Worship Survey:
An update was provided on the survey sent to all schools regarding Collective Worship. 16 responses have been received to date, but it was agreed that the survey would be sent out again to elicit more responses to be able to see the complete view.
Interfaith Council Junior Competition: Building Community
In response to a request, it was agreed that a communication could be sent to all Primary Schools regarding the above competition.