Mrs Mefys Edwards , Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones to give a presentation.
Minutes:
Mrs Mefys Edwards gave a presentation and slides showing results achieved in Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch.
She reported on how the RE Department has maintained and raised standards in the classroom, and responded to a self-evaluation report for the previous year. She referred to GCSE examination results for 2014/15, and stated that Year 10 & 11 had done exceptionally well and reached their expected targets:-
• Year 11 - 98% A*- C (over half receiving A - A*)
• Year 10 - 91% A*- C (nearly half receiving A – A*)
Mrs Edwards stated that from analysis of those results, the Department decided by way of an Action Plan to focus on the boys, and tried to challenge them by finding different ways of keeping their interest in the course. The second objective was to maintain and raise standards. She stated that at the beginning of the year with the help of the learning coaches, the children are given a test to find out the ways in which they learn best which in turn provides her with information regarding how the children learn be that visually, orally or kinaesthetically i.e. by doing things. The Department sought to improve lessons by way of activities that would engage the boys’ interest, and to track the boys more consistently. It was also decided to try to improve communication with the learning coaches and with parents e.g. by text reminders of upcoming tests, and by recognising good results.
Mrs Edwards reported on identifying how pupils learn and referred to an analysis of learning styles in her class in Year 11 as follows:-
There are 5 who learn visually;
There are 2 who learn orally;
There are 12 who learn kinaesthetically.
Mrs Edwards stated that she was interested in trialling activities for pupils who learn kinaesthetically and she proceeded to elaborate on some of the teaching methods deployed in the classroom to engage those learners who learn more by doing rather than by listening e.g. by the use of contemporary film and TV clips to encourage pupils to provide a response and to articulate their views orally and in writing; making use of news and events within the community ; assessing for learning whereby pupils are responsible for assessing their own work and other pupils’ work and challenge themselves and each other etc. She referred to the traffic light system for tracking pupils’ progress and the input made by teachers and learning coaches as regards those pupils who need further support.
Mrs Edwards said that she was very happy with the RE scores achieved at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones in the summer examinations and that both Years 10 and 11 had attained their targets. She confirmed that the boys’ standards were also good. She also confirmed that traditional teaching methods are deployed alongside more innovative practices.
The SACRE thanked Mrs Mefys Edwards for her informative presentation and noted with interest the creative teaching and learning practices being used by the school to improve standards in RE.