Agenda item

The RE Advisor to the SACRE to report on recent activities.

The RE Advisor reported on the following:- 

•  The Operational Panel for Schools’ SACRE held its first formal meeting on 11 March 2020, and scrutinised self-evaluation reports presented by Ysgol Goronwy Owen, Valley Community School, Rhoscolyn School, Ysgol y Tywyn and Llanfawr School.  Discussion also focused on the proposed new name for RE, to obtain the views of teachers and schools on the topic.  It was noted that no further meetings have been held to date, but it is hoped that the Operational Panel can re-start the process soon.

•  It was noted that the RE Advisor and co-opted member attended a NAPfRE meeting.  The views of those present were sought on the consultation for a new name for RE, namely Religion, Values and Ethics.  Resources for schools were shared at the meeting, which have now been circulated to  schools on Anglesey.

•  The SACRE responded to the Consultation on the curriculum by writing a letter to show the SACRE’s dissatisfaction that the questions were difficult to understand and were inconsequential.

•  Mr Owain Davies, Education Officer has joined the Operational Panel to oversee the Panel’s work.

•  Mrs Helen Roberts, from Bangor University, who is also a member of the Operational Panel, will be invited to attend the next SACRE meeting in February to present an overview of the Panel’s work within schools.

•  Funds have been made available for members of the Operational Panel to be released from duties during meetings and training sessions.

•  With reference to the SACRE’s Action Plan 2020-22, it was confirmed that an electronic platform has been created for schools to share resources and good practice in RE, together with the SACRE and Operational Panel’s work within schools. The SACRE agreed that the platform was an excellent idea, which would raise the SACRE and the Operational Panel’s profile in schools, and provide schools with an opportunity to develop their work and share their ideas. 

•  The Church in Wales Diocese and GwE have been working together to share resources with schools. The Church felt that children need support with Collective Worship, as they are missing out on daily practices in schools. The Church have been recording Welsh medium Collective Worship sessions, which GwE have circulated to schools.  Mrs Anest Frazer has agreed to forward the above resources to Owain Davies for the Operational Panel.

Concerns were raised that teachers no longer have the option to attend courses managed by WJEC, due to the pandemic.  Instead, they are invited to attend two-hour Webinar sessions for GCSEs and A Levels, which are held on different days.  It was noted that each Webinar session costs £100 to attend, which amounts to £300 per subject, which some schools cannot afford, and teachers lose out. 

It was highlighted that since WJEC has been privatised, it is now run as a business rather than a service, which may not be as effective for schools.  It was noted that WJEC have uploaded learning resources for schools on their website for each subject.  The resources for GCSE are good, and continue to be developed, and are available for pupils to work from home.

A member raised a question as to whether the SACRE could get its own budget to help fund Webinars?  It was agreed to wait for further feedback from teachers who have attended Webinar sessions before raising the question of funding.

RESOLVED:-

•  To note the information presented.

•  To invite Mrs Helen Roberts from the Operational Panel of Schools’     SACRE to attend the SACRE’s next meeting.

•   Mrs Mefys Jones-Edwards to provide an update on the use of Webinar     sessions at the SACRE’s next meeting.