To receive an update in relation to the above.
Minutes:
The Education Officer reported that GwE have withdrawn support to the Anglesey and Gwynedd SACREs. It was noted that Miss Bethan James, has provided invaluable support and guidance to the Anglesey SACRE for many years in her role of Support Advisor (GwE), and previously as Humanities Advisor for Cwmni Cynnal.
The Education Officer further reported that GwE’s support to the SACRE is not part of the agreement between the six North Wales local authorities. However, GwE are willing to discuss any options available with the Council to provide support, should the Council wish to amend the current agreement.
The Chair has written to the Head of Learning expressing SACRE’s concerns and disappointed in the way GwE’s support has been withdrawn, without official notification.
The SACRE felt that the support and guidance received from the Support Advisor is essential to fulfil its duties as a statutory body, and monitor standards in RE in Anglesey schools. It was noted that without the right support and guidance, the SACRE’s work cannot be achieved.
Action:
• Chair to write to Mr Arwyn Thomas, GwE’s Chief Executive expressing SACRE’s concerns.
• Education Officer to write to the Head of Learning requesting that the SACRE receives the necessary funding to obtain the expertise and guidance required.
• To update the Portfolio Holder for Education on the Committee’s concerns in relation to GwE withdrawing support to the SACRE.
The Chair reported that Mr Gareth Jones, the Education Officer and Clerk to the SACRE will be retiring at the end of May, 2018. On behalf of the SACRE, the Chair thanked Mr Jones for his excellent work and support as Clerk to the SACRE, and wished him well in his retirement.
Information received from Mrs Mefys Edwards, Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones and Mrs Heledd Hearn, Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern, was presented before the SACRE.
Mrs Mefys Edwards, raised awareness that there is a lack of available resources for teaching RE through the medium of Welsh in schools in Wales. She also expressed concern that the workload of the new curriculum on RE teachers and pupils is excessive, and that teachers are struggling to finish the course in time. Mrs Edwards showed concern that there may be a decline in the number of pupils wanting to study ‘A’ Level in RE in the future, due to the heavy workload.
Mrs Heledd Hearn raised concerns that the new GCSE course is too voluminous in terms of content, and cannot be condensed into the two lessons available per week for RE. It was noted that schools who have three lessons of RE per week are also finding it difficult to complete the course. Reference was also made to the ‘A’ Level syllabus, that the school has not yet received textbooks.
Mrs Hearn requested that the SACRE write to the WJEC to express concern at the lack of resources that are available for teaching through the medium of Welsh.
Action:
• Education Officer to write to the Welsh Government Minister and WJEC expressing the SACRE’s concerns noted above.
• A copy of the letter to be forwarded to Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Welsh Assembly Member for Anglesey.