Agenda item

To present the RE self-evaluation reports of the following schools -

Ysgol Penysarn

Ysgol Talwrn

Ysgol y Graig 

Canolfan Addysg y Bont

Ysgol Amlwch

Ysgol y Ffridd (Welsh version)

The Religious Education self-evaluation reports provided by Ysgol Penysarn, Ysgol y Talwrn, Ysgol y Graig, Canolfan Addysg y Bont, Ysgol Amlwch and Ysgol y Ffridd were presented for the SACRE’s consideration.

The SACRE noted the following:

•           Variations within the self-evaluation reports both in terms of content and presentation with some of the schools adhering to the agreed proforma and others adopting a more narrative approach. Particular reference was made to the self-evaluations provided by Canolfan Addysg y Bont and Ysgol Amlwch as descriptive reports.

The SACRE was advised that the pro-forma has been circulated to schools as a matter of guidance and local good practice but that there is no national framework for drafting self-evaluation reports. The SACRE was informed also that Mrs Catherine Jones who was unable to attend today’s meeting had visited Canolfan Addysg y Bont in November to observe a collective worship period at the school as part of the SACRE’s agreed monitoring practice.

The SACRE agreed that it would be helpful and informative for it to invite the Head teacher of Canolfan Addysg y Bont to a meeting of the SACRE to discuss the school’s RE provision from the perspective of a special school.

•           That several of the schools note that more community visits would enhance pupils’ knowledge and appreciation of other faiths and improve their ability to discuss and express their opinion about them.

The SACRE was advised that there is a responsibility on schools to show that community visitors do provide helpful experiences for the pupils and that they can report on personal faith experiences that are relevant to the studies. The GwE Challenge Advisor said that opportunities for schools in a predominantly rural environment like Anglesey to ensure that pupils have access to a variety of contact with other faiths are more limited compared to schools in urban areas although schools have in the past made use of the mosque in Bangor and there are increasing opportunities to make contact through digital means e.g. virtual visits and contact via Skype. Whilst those kind of experiences are good they are not as valuable as being able to chat face to face with a person of another faith.

The GwE Challenge Advisor also informed the SACRE that she had amended the self-evaluation pro-forma to incorporate a provision for literacy, numeracy and ICT standards in Religious Education. Some statements made by schools tend to be generic and so in order to encourage teachers to refer both to Religious Education and to skills across the curriculum a sub-heading to that end has been included in the template. Also, following the workshop held with primary teachers the previous term, the guidance provided has also been adapted to fashion more  statements that teachers can use in preparing self-evaluation especially in terms of providing examples of how RE provision in a school is different or stands out.

It was agreed to note the RE self-evaluation reports presented and to thank all the schools involved for providing them.

ACTION ENSUING: Primary Education Officer on behalf of the SACRE to issue an invitation to the Head teacher of Canolfan Addysg y Bont to a future meeting of the SACRE to give a presentation on the school’s RE provision.