To receive an update from SACRE’s members who attended the WASACRE meeting held on 29 June 2022.
Minutes:
Mr Rheinallt Thomas gave an update from the WASACRE meeting held on 29 June 2022.
The following points were noted:-
• WASACRE meeting held in Flintshire, RVE etc was discussed.
• A presentation was given on partnerships and modules by Dr Tania ap Sion.
• An update was provided on collaboration on playlists by Kevin Parker - the first of 4 modules will be available from September.
• Concerns were expressed that words like “playlist” in the new curriculum are not familiar to everyone, particularly the newly appointed elected Members on the SACRE.
• Reflection from previous minutes in March - issue of facilitating bilingual meetings on Microsoft Teams was raised. It is hoped that face to face meetings will resume in future, to bring the 22 local authorities together.
• The next WASACRE meeting will be held in Carmarthen in the Autumn.
• SACRE Wales have suggested changes to the Hwb website, which will need to be confirmed by the Welsh Government Minister. A Hwb Panel will be set up to review resources for the website – a copy of the resources will be forwarded to WASACRE in due course. The Panel will need to ensure that all material on Hwb fits in with new ideas, otherwise the content could be removed from the website. It was noted that one consultancy in Wales considered that Hwb does not comply with the requirements of the new curriculum, in that the website contains too much detail, and suggests what teachers should do, contrary to the elemental principles of the new curriculum, for schools to decide their own work plans.
• A presentation was given by Jennifer Harding Richards on behalf of NAPFRE on the Consortium partnership. It was noted that Swansea, Carmarthen and Neath Port Talbot have come together to fund a full time Consultant to support SACREs.
Mr Chris Thomas shared his concerns regarding the rise in SACRES collaborating to pay independent consultant in parts of Wales for their expertise. He reported that there is no level playing field for SACRES to receive the support they desperately need.
Mr Thomas referred to the WASACRE’s Annual Meeting held on 16 June 2022, and raised the following points:-
• Minor adaptations have been made to the WASACRE’s Constitution, which have been accepted by the SACREs.
• The next Annual Meeting will be held in Denbighshire in June next year.
• The Ynys Môn SACRE was asked to approve the WASACRE’s Annual Subscription of £480 in respect of the Committee’s membership, as referred to in the Treasurer’s Report.
RESOLVED to approve the payment of £480 for the SACRE’s Annual Subscription for WASACRE’s membership.
• With reference to the WASACRE’s Executive, it was noted that Dr Tania ap Sion has been appointed as Chair, and Mr Edward Evans has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the Executive. It was noted that only 12 SACREs throughout Wales voted on the Executive’s membership, which was very disappointing.
RESOLVED that the RE Advisor invites Mr Phil Lord to provide an overview of the resources that will available on Hwb in the future.