Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest from a Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the previous SACRE meeting held on 13 July 2022.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the SACRE held on 13 July 2022 were presented and confirmed as correct.

Matters arising from the minutes:-

•  It was noted that the final version of the Ynys Môn Agreed Syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics has been forwarded to Welsh Government confirming its adoption by the County Council.

•  The RVE Advisor reported that she has discussed the issue of non-religious groups joining the SACRE with the Solicitor (Corporate Governance).  It was noted that matter will need to be discussed further, and the RE Advisor will report back to the SACRE’s next meeting. 

Mr Phil Lord, GWE to provide an overview of the support provided by GWE to Anglesey schools.

Mr Phil Lord, a GwE Challenge Advisor, reported on the support GwE provides to schools in North Wales in relation to the new curriculum and Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE), as part of the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE).  He stated that schools urgently need support and guidance to create and develop their new curriculums.  It was noted that GwE has been working on curriculum design over the past few years, and has developed an understanding of the whole curriculum.

A presentation was given on the bilingual resources and support packages that are available on the GwE website, highlighting the following key areas in the Curriculum for Wales:-

•  Networks - available for each of the 6 AoLEs, regional meetings and a

   newsletter;

•  Professional Learning - resources available on a range of topics; 

•  Bitesize resources - to assist schools to plan and develop their own

   curriculums.  Leading change resources have playlists and handbooks for

   schools.

The RVE Advisor reported that she is working in collaboration with GwE to ensure that resources from Anglesey schools, the SACRE’s annual report, and the Agreed Syllabus for Anglesey schools will be published on GwE’s website.

It was noted that Welsh Government and WASACRE have been working together to develop modules on professional learning, to assist schools in understanding what’s new within the new curriculum.

Concerns were again expressed that Anglesey SACRE does not receive the necessary specialist support and guidance of an RVE specialist to fulfil its duties effectively.

It was noted that the SACRE were enlightened and impressed with GwE’s website, and how GwE supports schools, and thanked Mr Lord for his informative presentation.

RESOLVED to note the information presented.

To receive an update by the RE Advisor on the Agreed Syllabus for Anglesey Schools.

The RVE Advisor reported that the Agreed Syllabus for Anglesey schools can now be accessed via the Council’s microsite. 

The Primary Education Manager gave a presentation on the ‘Anglesey Leaders Schools Support Hub’, which is a simple to operate microsite, providing support to Head Teachers and Leaders on Anglesey.  He stated that information relating to training, corporate issues, My View, Monitor, Human Resources etc can be accessed via different portals. 

It was noted that the microsite is a work in progress in collaboration with Head Teachers and other stakeholders, and new information is uploaded onto the Hub on a regular basis, together with a weekly bulletin.  The SACRE’s Annual Report will also be uploaded onto the Hub in future.

Positive feedback was received from the SACRE, who saw the microsite as an excellent way to develop and move forward.  A link was provided in the meeting for the SACRE’s members to access the Hub.

RESOLVED to note the information presented.

To receive a presentation by Elin Owen from the Church in Wales on the work undertaken by the Diocese of Bangor on the ‘Pererin’ Pilgrimage Project.

Mrs Elin Owen from the Church in Wales Diocese, Bangor gave a presentation on the ‘Pererin’ project, which is part of a bigger 5 year project called ‘Llan’, and grant funded by the Church in Wales Evangelism Fund.  She stated that the project’s aim is to give people who would not normally engage with the Church an opportunity to do so.  The project has been divided into three workstreams - Menter, Cloddio and Pererin.

With regard to the Pererin project, the work involves developing and establishing three pilgrimage routes -

1.  The North path - already established from Clynnogfawr to Bardsey Island.

2.  The Cadfan path - runs from Towyn in Meirionydd to Bardsey Island.

3.  The Anglesey path - links Penmon and Holyhead. 

It was noted that the purpose of the projects is to encouraging people to ask themselves questions relating to pilgrimage.  The Church is developing resources for people to go on their own pilgrimage, and currently runs a Welsh language literary programme called the ‘Cadfan Path’.

Reference was made to the company ‘Mewn Cymeriad’ (In Character), who bring historical characters alive in schools through drama.  The Diocese commissioned the company to create a drama based on the character of Saint Cadfan, and his pilgrimage from Towyn to Bardsey Island.  The drama has been performed in the Wales History Festival for children, local schools and churches in Anglesey and Gwynedd, including the church in Llangefni. 

Mrs Owen reported that the pilgrimage theme is now linked to the new curriculum as part of the GCSE and A Level syllabus.  She stated that the church is working to promote collaboration with schools in general, and has held creative writing workshops in schools.  It is also looking into creating story books on the Saints for schools and dramas on Anglesey Saints etc, as well as promoting the Welsh language. 

Teachers on Anglesey have expressed that they would like to have a similar path based on the Saints of Anglesey.  It was noted that Ysgol Santes Dwynwen has already undertaken a pilgrimage to Llanddwyn. 

A Pilgrimage Officer will be appointed for schools to look after the educational needs of the projects, which will become part of the new curriculum.  The main focus will be on the six pilgrimage churches and walks for schools, creative workshops, dramas etc. 

The Chair on behalf of the SACRE thanked Mrs Owen for her excellent presentation and enthusiasm for the project, and for the work undertaken by the Diocese in bringing the Saints alive through drama.

RESOLVED to note the information presented.

To present information from Estyn inspection reports (Spring 2022) in respect of the following schools:-

•  Ysgol Gynradd Corn Hir, Llangefni

•  Ysgol Gynradd Cemaes

The Estyn inspection reports in relation to Ysgol Cemaes and Ysgol Corn Hir, Llangefni were presented for the SACRE’s consideration.  It was noted that Estyn no longer grades schools on performance, but lists each Inspector’s recommendations for further development.

The RE Advisor reported that following the Estyn inspections in Ysgol Cemaes and Ysgol Corn Hir, individual recommendations were made for both schools, as presented in the report.  Each Head Teacher will draw up an action plan to address the issues raised in the recommendation(s) for their school.

Concerns were expressed that Estyn has not drawn attention to Christianity as the main religion in their reports, every though RVE is mandatory in schools.  It was noted that the only reference to good practice refers to collective worship in schools.

RESOLVED:-

•  To note the information presented.

•  That the RVE Advisor writes to Estyn’s Chief Inspector expressing the SACRE’s concern that there is a lack of specific reference to Christianity as the main religion in Estyn reports. 

•  That Mr Rheinallt Thomas raises the issue of Estyn’s lack of focus on Christianity in the WASACRE’s next meeting.

•  That the RVE Advisor writes to Head Teachers in Anglesey schools highlighting the SACRE’s concern regarding Estyn’s lack of reference toChristianity in the reports presented.

•  That the RVE Advisor invited Head Teachers from Anglesey schools to attend SACRE meetings to present examples of their pupils’ work.

To submit for information, the draft minutes of the WASACRE meeting held on 29 June 2022.

The draft minutes of the WASACRE meeting held on 29 June were submitted and accepted.

Any other matters – with prior agreement of the Chair.

The RVE Advisor questioned whether the SACRE would like to resume visits to local schools to observe Collective Worship?

RESOLVED to continue with the current arrangements at present.

It was confirmed that the SACRE’s next meeting will be held on 6 February 2023 at 2.00 pm.

The next SACRE meeting is scheduled for Monday, 6 February 2023 at 2.00 pm.