Agenda item

·        Teachers’ Assessments KS3 (Summer 2013) and External Examination Results (Summer 2013)

·        Inspection reports in respect of Ysgol Cemaes; Ysgol Corn Hir, Ysgol Moelfre and Ysgol Llaingoch (Copy of the Education Officer’s report attached)

·        Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern self-evaluation

·        Arrangements for monitoring RE Standards and collective worship for the future (Paper attached)

•           A report on KS3 Teacher assessments in RE along with the results of Summer 2013 external examinations was presented for the SACRE’s attention. The report provided information on the standards reached, the comparative achievement of girls and boys and the number of candidates in the examinations.

The Systems Leader informed the SACRE that KS3 performance data for two secondary schools had not been received. It was agreed that the two schools in question – Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern be requested to provide the said data. The Officer highlighted the fact that the gap in performance between girls and boys in one school was less than in some of the others – Mrs Mefys Edwards briefly explained the teaching approach in Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones. The Systems Leader suggested that the SACRE might wish to consider receiving a presentation on RE GCSE lesson content and specifically methods used to improve boys’ participation and performance in RE as a subject area – perhaps a  presentation by boys regarding their attitude towards RE as a subject. She also provided the Members with an explanation of the Religious Studies short course.

It was agreed to accept the report and to note its contents.

Actions Arising:

•           Education Officer and Systems Leader in consultation with the Chair to arrange for the SACRE to receive a presentation at its next meeting around standards and performance and to determine the content of the presentation.

•           Education Officer on behalf of the SACRE to remind Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni and Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern to make available RE KS3 performance data.

•           The report of the Education Officer providing a summary of the relevant parts of Estyn reports in relation to Ysgol Cemaes, Ysgol Corn Hir, Ysgol Moelfre and Ysgol Llaingoch was presented for the SACRE’s consideration. Members noted the report.

•           The RE self-evaluation report of Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern was presented for the SACRE’s consideration.

The Systems Leader said that the report provided an useful overview of standards in RE at the school as well as a taste of the kind of activities, tasks and discussions arranged as part of the RE provision at different stages and as part of collective worship arrangements.

The SACRE noted the report and expressed its appreciation of the information provided.

Action Arising: Education Officer to write on behalf of the SACRE to the Head of RE at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedeen to thank her/him for the report.

•           The results of a questionnaire completed by Members of the SACRE at the end of the forum’s previous meeting in June were presented. The questionnaire sought to gauge Members’ knowledge and understanding of RE and collective workshop as well as seeking to identify their views regarding recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of the SACRE as a monitoring body e.g. by arranging for Members to attend a collective worship session in a sample of schools and/or to visit a school to discuss the school’s self-evaluation of RE with the Re-Co-ordinator or Head of Department.

Whilst Members were agreed that it was important for the SACRE as a body to forge a closer relationship with schools particularly in light of the demise of the advisory service, they emphasised that any visits conducted should be on the basis of an invitation by an individual school and be undertaken by a representative group of the SACRE rather than by the body as a whole.

It was agreed to note the report and to endorse the recommendations.

Action Arising: Education Officer to consult with the Systems Leader regarding arrangements for putting the recommendations into practice.