To receive an update by the GwE Challenge Advisor (Miss Bethan James) on the following:-
• Standards in Religious Education
• Resources in Religious Education
• Religious Education and the Lifelong Curriculum
• Religious Studies and GCSE/Higher Level
• Anglesey SACRE’s Action Plan
Minutes:
The GwE Challenge Adviser provided an update on the following:-
Standards in Religious Education
Reference was made to GCSE, AS and A Level examination results in Religious Studies for the secondary sector on Anglesey in Summer, 2016 as follows:-
GCSEs
• 128 candidates from 5 schools in Anglesey;
• 45.3% of candidates were awarded grade A*/A for the second year running;
• 84.3% of candidates achieved a qualification in Level 2 (A*-C), an increase of +2.3% since 2015;
• 2 candidates failed to attain a Level 1 qualification (1.6%);
• Girls are more likely to choose RE as a subject than boys (B:34 : G:94);
• The difference between the performance of boys and girls at the higher levels is negligible, A*/A (1.6%), L2 (1.7%). The boys’ performance in Religious Studies does not match the girls’ performance at L1 (-5.9%) for the first time in 6 years;
• Only 4 pupils sat the GCSE short course in Anglesey.
Anglesey performed well in GCSEs in comparison with the 6 other authorities in North Wales.
A Level Results
• 54 candidates from 4 schools in Anglesey;
• 13.0% of candidates were awarded grade A*/A;
• 74.1% of candidates achieved grade A-C.
A Level results and performance in Anglesey was similar to rest of North Wales.
AS Results
• 11 applicants from 5 Anglesey schools;
• 9.1% of candidates were awarded grade A*/A;
• 36.4% of candidates achieved a qualification A-C.
The percentage of pupils gaining grades A-E in North Wales was 78.9%, which raises the question whether pupils are receiving the right guidance prior to returning to school to take the AS course, or whether they have the right aptitude for the course.
The GwE Challenge Adviser reported that Cynnal are presently developing an RE e-magazine for children in Key Stage 3 through the medium of Welsh. The articles are being prepared each season by three authors from an RE background. Miss Bethan James and Mrs Mary Parry, RE Advisor in Carmarthen, are external consultants. The theme of the first edition, launched in Autumn 2016, was ’Organ Donation’, and the theme of the second Spring issue will be ‘Refugees’.
Religious Education and the Lifelong Curriculum
The GwE Challenge Adviser reported that the National Panel for Religious Education (Wales) (NAPfRE) is working on defining ‘what is good RE?’ A series of statements have been compiled as part of the draft working document in preparation for the new National Curriculum. It was noted that Welsh Government has accepted Professor Donaldson’s recommendations, ‘Successful Futures’. The present National Curriculum is coming to an end, and will have an effect on the Agreed Syllabus in Anglesey. The Syllabus is reviewed every five years, but at the present time, the review has been postponed to await further information on the new ‘Curriculum for Wales’. The NAPfRE has attempted to draw a series of statements that will be clear and easy to understand for people who are not specialists in the subject of RE.
It was noted that the NAPfRE statements are working documents which are open to change, and not set in stone.
The GwE Challenge Adviser questioned how Religious Educatiion can contribute to the following four purposes within well planned activities for the new National Curriculum, which seeks to develop:
• Ambitious capable learners who are ready to learn throughout their lives;
• Enterprising, creative contributors who are ready to play a full part in life and work;
• Ethical informed citizens who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world;
• Healthy confident individuals who are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.
It was noted that all schools should work together towards the same goal.
Religious Studies and GCSE/Higher Level
The GwE Challenge Adviser reported that Mrs Mefys Edwards is the Lead Regional Practitioner for RE Departments in North Wales, and will be working with other secondary RE teachers across the region to create resources to support the implementation of the new GCSE RE specification. The WJEC will provide training for teachers on the specification. Mrs Edwards and her team have arranged to meet on the 29th March to work together.
Anglesey SACRE’s Action Plan
This item was deferred to obtain a copy of the Action Plan for the next meeting.
Action:
To include the Anglesey SACRE’s Action Plan on the agenda for the next meeting.
It was agreed to note the update by the GwE Challenge Adviser.