Agenda item

To submit the Anglesey SACRE’s Annual Report for the period 2019/20.

The RE Advisor presented the final version of the SACRE’s Annual Report for 2019/20 for approval, and gave an overview of the points discussed, as outlined below:-

•  Five schools’ self-evaluation reports were presented during the pre-lockdown period from September 2019 to March 2020. The reports presented were honest and effective, and no concerns were raised.

•  The work of the Operational Panel for Schools’ SACRE continues to develop and needs to be strengthened further, as progress has been limited due to the pandemic.

•  Concerns were raised that the number of pupils following RE as a subject continues to fall.  It was noted that 83 pupils followed the GCSE RE course in 2019/20, 11 less than in the previous year.  However, pupils who undertook GCSE and A Levels assessments during the Summer of 2020 achieved good grades in the subject.  

•  Estyn praised RE teaching in their inspections of Anglesey’s schools during 2019/20, and no concerns were raised.

•  Three members of the SACRE attended collective worship sessions in schools, and further scheduled visits had to be postponed due to Covid-19.  It was suggested that collective worship sessions be convened through Microsoft Teams in future.

•  The Welsh Government guidance documents to support RE will change with the new curriculum in 2022.  It was noted that from September onwards, Estyn’s expectations will become clearer for schools. 

•  As a result of the Welsh Government consultation on access to the curriculum for all learners in October 2019, each child will now have full access to the curriculum and will undertake lessons in RE. 

•  RE will change to Religion, Values and Ethics as part of the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience.

•  Concerns were raised regarding GDPR compliance, and whether it is appropriate to present photos and videos of children in the classroom and school environment in SACRE meetings.

•  The SACRE expressed concern that no pupils had chosen to study RE in some secondary schools.  It was confirmed that there is provision in place for pupils to travel to other schools for RE lessons outside their catchment areas, and this system is currently being utilised and working well.

•  There needs to be provision in place for pupils who have been taught RE through the medium of Welsh in the primary sector to continue to be taught in Welsh in the secondary sector.

•  It was agreed that the SACRE’s current membership and attendance at meetings should be monitored.

Reference was made to the SACRE’s Action Plan listing the Committee’s priorities, aims and objectives up to 2022.  Work will continue to raise the SACRE’s profile in schools, and increase awareness that RE will be part of the Humanities AoLE Curriculum.  The SACRE and the Operational Panel will be focusing on the new curriculum, particularly how schools adapt and work thematically during the transition from Year 6 to 7.  It was noted that the objective to create a platform to share resources and good practice within RE has been delivered by Mr Owen Davies.

Members of the SACRE showed appreciation and thanked the RE Advisor for her outstanding work in preparing the Annual Report, and the Chair for his excellent Chairman’s Summary.

RESOLVED:-

•  To accept the SACRE’s Annual Report for 2019/20.

•  That the SACRE’s current attendances at meetings be monitored over the forthcoming year.

•  To agree that only individuals who have prepared a presentation/self-evaluation report should be permitted to show photos and videos of children in their school environment, and only during a SACRE meeting.