Agenda item

To present a draft of the Anglesey SACRE’s Annual Report for 2014/15.

The draft of the Annual Report of the Isle of Anglesey’s SACRE for 2014/15 was presented for the SACRE’s consideration and endorsement.

The GwE Challenge Adviser reported on the following aspects -

•           The report seeks to provide the context for how the SACRE in Anglesey scrutinises standards in RE e.g. Page 4 of the Report - 8 schools’ self- evaluation reports have been discussed between 2014/2015. The minutes of the SACRE’s meetings show that more than 8 self-evaluation reports have been discussed, but some of these refer to schools that have been inspected in previous years. The 8 Reports presented have been for this academic year and the others have been covered in the previous year’s Annual Report.

•           The Education Authority on Anglesey has been supportive with regard to self-evaluation and has asked schools to undertake RE self-evaluation within the year but notwithstanding only 15 % of schools have responded.

There ensued a discussion whether the Annual Report should reflect the response rate. The general view was that even though it is disappointing it should be included whilst at the same time highlighting within the report that the system has changed this year.

The Primary Education Officer said that he would write to schools who have not responded at all to convey to them the SACRE’s disappointment that their self-evaluation reports have not been submitted hitherto and that it is looking forward to receiving them at the earliest opportunity. Moreover, the Education Authority does encourage schools to be “inspection ready” meaning therefore that whatever schools have prepared in terms of self-evaluation should already be at hand.

In response to a question about the Anglesey SACRE’s comparative performance in this respect, the GwE Challenge Adviser confirmed that the information shows that Gwynedd and Anglesey  SACREs are performing  exceptionally well at collecting self-evaluation reports compared to other authorities. The SACRE also raised the point that being an RE specialist has a bearing on what teachers are able to do in the subject and particular reference was made to the primary sector where it was noted that more might to be done in terms of addressing initial teacher training for a statutory subject to provide teachers with the body of general knowledge they require to address the subject area.

•           In terms of outcomes the GwE Challenge Adviser reminded the SACRE that it had agreed that schools could be named and that she had therefore selected extracts from schools’ self-evaluation reports to evidence the kind of activities they are undertaking.

•           Provision – the SACRE is able to identify good provision within both the primary and secondary sectors whilst also noting aspects that will receive attention during the forthcoming year. The SACRE also needs to consider in turn what support it as a body is providing to schools to achieve the priorities they have identified. 

•           The report refers to collective worship sessions in schools which some of the SACRE’s members have attended and observed.

•           The report reflects the recommendations made by the SACRE to the LEA with regard to maintaining and improving RE standards (Page 8). The GwE Challenge Adviser asked the SACRE whether it was satisfied with those recommendations.

There ensued a discussion regarding what kind of support would assist teachers and schools. It was noted that schools are now more isolated in terms of support and mention was made of the demise of the consortium meetings and the shortage of opportunities for teachers of the same discipline to meet and share experiences and develop ideas. Various suggestions were made e.g. to be able to observe each other’s lessons. The GwE Challenge Adviser suggested that Head Teachers could be asked to facilitate opportunities for departments to work together particularly in preparing new GCSE and A Level specifications. 

•           The Education Authority’s response. (Section 2.4)The GwE Challenge Adviser said that the SACRE needs to evaluate its own effectiveness as a body in terms of the guidance and leadership it provides.

•           Collective Worship (Section 2.7). The GwE Challenge Adviser suggested that comments in relation to collective worship be confined to this section and removed from section 2.3.1 which deals with schools’ self-evaluation. The SACRE concurred and endorsed also the recommendations within this section with the proviso that the final bullet point refer to the trialling of the collective worship form.

It was agreed to adopt the draft Annual Report for 2014/15 subject to any minor amendments that may arise as well as the amendments agreed during the discussion thereon.

Action

•           The Primary Education Officer to write to those schools who have not responded at all with regard to self-evaluations, to convey to them the SACRE’s disappointment that their self-evaluation reports have not been submitted hitherto and that it is looking forward to receiving them at the earliest opportunity.