Agenda item

To discuss how best the SAC can support its schools: -

•  Promotion of SAC(RE)       

•  Development of Religion, Values and Ethics

•  Development of Collective Worship

The RVE Advisor reported that each SAC has to provide an annual report to reflect on its business.  The SAC will recommend to Welsh Government that all SACs will need to have their own development plan.

It was noted that discussion across Wales has focused on the possibility of SACs developing their own objectives, resulting in actions within annual reports becoming conversations around how well SACs have moved forward on their development plans.  The first objective for the Anglesey SAC will be to ensure that the SAC’s membership meets the requirement. 

It was noted that the SAC’s main responsibility is to support schools and develop their RVE, which could be used as another SAC objective, by acting on its actions to support and develop schools.  It was suggested that faith representatives could share the SAC’s minutes, annual reports etc., to continue conversations around how organisations that support the SAC can support RVE in schools.

Thirdly, a question was raised on how the SAC could support collective worship?  It was suggested that a Newsletter would be a good way to move forward together with a Secondary Head of Department Network, which is being developed to support professional learning. 

It was noted that the SAC’s members observe collective worship sessions and could consider observing an assembly or an RVE lesson?  Having a bank of resources and a directory of trained people who are willing to go into schools to do assemblies would also be a way to support schools. 

Discussion focused on whether WASACRE should look at having a template to encourage all SACs to adopt national objectives and add local objectives to their development plans to identify good practice for other areas?  It was proposed and accepted that the SAC write to WASACRE to formally request that its Executive discuss this matter in due course.

A teacher representative referred to a possible action point for the future regarding collaboration between the SAC and secondary schools specifically.  She stated that pupils in Year 10 and 11 undertake coursework and a non-examination task, which has been introduced for teachers and pupils.  In September each year, WJEC present two questions each for Years 10 and 11, where pupils have to search for evidence, which is challenging for them, with teachers leading them through it.  It was suggested that the SAC could give its opinion on whatever subject is presented annually.  

The SAC agreed that it would be an interesting link on religious views which could be shared with Anglesey schools who are also undertaking the task.  It could also be included in the Newsletter and used as a source of information for primary or secondary schools and could be incorporated into the work of faith representatives.

An invitation was extended to the SAC to visit St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Holyhead to observe a collective worship session.  It was suggested that a SAC member could write a small article following a visit, which could be included in the Newsletter.

RESOLVED: -

•  To support the SAC’s development plan.

•  That the Senior Manager, Primary Sector (Clerk to the SAC) writes to

    WASACRE to ask its Executive to consider providing a template to

    encourage all SACs to adopt national objectives, where local objectives

    could be added to SACs’ development plans to identify and share good

    practice.