Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2012 (copy enclosed).

            That the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2012 were submitted.

            RESOLVED:

            That the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

The Chairman announced that he had decided that the Committee should consider an additional item on the grounds of urgency, as provided for under Section 100 B(4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).  The item was to consider RE News.

The Chairman announced that he had decided that the Committee should consider an additional item on the grounds of urgency, as provided for under Section 100 B(4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).  The item was to consider RE News.

That the Authority continued to subscribe to the publication of RE News.

The Senior Learning Adviser referred to correspondence which had been received from RE News promoting RE throughout Wales.  He explained that due to escalating costs it was proposed that a digital copy of the publication be produced through Bangor University in the future.  The initiative would require a contribution of £500 from each Authority which was a reduction on the current subscription to RE News paid by Flintshire County Council.   He asked members to consider if they wished to continue to subscribe to the service.  Members agreed that they wished to continue to receive the publication which was a valuable resource.

RESOLVED

That the Authority continued to subscribe to the publication of RE News.

To receive a presentation by Elwyn Davies, Chief Officer, RSEIS

            That the presentation be received.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Elwyn Davies, Chief Officer, RSEIS, to the meeting and invited him to give a presentation on the North Wales Regional Schools Effectiveness and Improvement Service.

                        Mr. Davies provided background information and gave an overview of RSEIS.  The presentation covered the following areas:

• Operational Structure
• Assumptions
• The Joint Committee

                        Mr. Davies advised that the 27 System Leader and Curriculum Support Coordinator roles would work across Ynys Mon and Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham with flexible management of staff to respond to the annual changing needs of schools.  System Leaders time would be utilised to deliver school visits, support to schools requiring additional support, and support self review work.

Mr Davies responded to the questions and concerns raised by members and explained that reports would still be produced for schools in Flintshire and that the System Leader would be involved if there was cause for concern.   He provided further information in answer to the concerns raised around small schools, and the allocation of days for monitoring and support. 

The Senior Learning Adviser RE explained that each Authority would have its own SACRE.

                        The Chairman thanked Mr. Davies for an informative and helpful presentation.  Councillor R.C. Bithell expressed thanks on behalf of the Committee to Mr. Davies for his hard work, support and commitment to the education service. 

            RESOLVED:

            That the presentation be received.

To receive the analysis of recent Estyn Inspection Report (copy enclosed).

            (a)       That the report be received: and

(b)       That the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter of congratulations to the headteacher of Westwood CP School.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE introduced an analysis of the Inspection Report for Westwood CP school which was inspected under the new Estyn Framework October 2012.

                        He detailed the positive comments made in Key Questions 1, 2 and 3  and highlighted those made in the areas of standards; learning experiences; care, support and guidance; and partnership working. 

                        It was agreed that the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter of congratulations to the headteacher of Westwood CP School.

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the report be received: and

(b)       That the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter of congratulations to the headteacher of Westwood CP School.

To receive a report on Holywell High School Consortium of Schools (copy enclosed).

(a)       That the report be received;

(b)       That the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter to the schools to congratulate them on the positive outcomes of their reports; and

(c)        That the Senior Learning Adviser RE provides a breakdown of the acronyms used in reports and minutes to members.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE introduced the report to inform members of the provision of Religious Education in the Holywell Consortium of Schools.  He detailed the good features, areas for development and recommendations reported for each of the following schools:-

            HolywellHigh School

Ysgol y Llan

Bro Carmel CP School

Brynfordd CP School

YsgolEsgob Caerwys

GlanAber CP School

YsgolLixwm

YsgolMaes Glas

Ysgol Perth y Terfyn

YsgolTrelawnyd

Ysgol Y Fron

            He explained that he had undertaken visits to each of the schools during the Autumn term and a report of the visit, the issues and outcomes, had been agreed with the schools.  A summary of the visit was produced and submitted to SACRE for consideration.    

            Members welcomed the report and during discussion the Senior Learning Adviser RE responded to the comments raised by members around the curriculum and sharing of good practice.  Following a suggestion made by Mrs. D. McIntyre it was agreed that a breakdown of the acronyms used in reports be provided to members for future reference.

            It was agreed that the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter of congratulations to the schools on the positive outcomes of the inspections.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be received;

(b)       That the Senior Learning Adviser RE would send a letter to the schools to congratulate them on the positive outcomes of their reports; and

(c)        That the Senior Learning Adviser RE provides a breakdown of the acronyms used in reports and minutes to members.

To receive the analysis of examination results for 2012 (copy enclosed).

(a)       That the analysis of examination results be noted; and

(b)       That the data provided for GCSE Studies at Advanced Level concerning Ysgol Maes Garmon be amended.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE presented an analysis of examination results for Religious Studies at GCSE and Advanced levels for consideration. 

            During discussion a number of queries and observations were raised by members.  Councillor N. Steele-Mortimer raised a concern around a variation in some results when compared to the previous year.  In his response the Senior Learning Adviser RE explained that there are two examinations for RE; a full course and a short course. He also advised that there was a statutory requirement to teach RE in schools but no statutory requirement to undertake an examination in RE. 

            Mrs Rita Price commented on the implications when schools decided to change examination boards.

            Concerning the results for GCSE Studies at Advanced Level a discrepancy was noted in the data provided for Ysgol Maes Garmon and it was agreed that this be amended by the Senior Learning Adviser RE.

            The Senior Learning Adviser RE referred to the Key Stage 3 moderation process which had recently been completed.  Schools which had submitted had had their portfolios assessed and moderated and the results were included in the Key Stage 3 Teacher Assessment - 2012 analysis which was included in the report.  He commented that the results were a reflection of All Wales not just Flintshire.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the analysis of examination results be noted; and

(b)       That the data provided for GCSE Studies at Advanced Level concerning Ysgol Maes Garmon be amended.

To discuss the monitoring of RE in schools.

(a)       That the self evaluation questionnaire be provided to schools to complete on an bi-annual basis; and

(b)       That the questionnaire be submitted to the Primary and Secondary Headteachers Federations for further consideration

The Senior Learning Adviser RE advised that the monitoring and supporting review visits to schools currently undertaken would no longer be possible under the Gwasanaeth Effeithiolrwydd arrangements. 

                        A discussion was held to consider how SACRE would monitor standards in Flintshire in the future.  The Senior Learning Adviser RE provided a breakdown of the ADEW agreed time allocation for SACRE for members’ information. 

The Senior Learning Adviser RE explained that Primary and Secondary schools would be asked to submit a summary of the school’s self evaluation during the year they are inspected by ESTYN.  He asked members to consider the self evaluation questionnaire which was included in the report and proposed that it be used to monitor RE and collective workshops in schools. 

Members agreed to accept the questionnaire for schools to complete on an biennial basis.  It was also agreed that the questionnaire be submitted to the Primary and Secondary Headteachers Federations for further consideration.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the self evaluation questionnaire be provided to schools to complete on an biennial basis; and

(b)       That the questionnaire be submitted to the Primary and Secondary Headteachers Federations for further consideration

To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Association (copy enclosed).

            (a)       That the minutes be received;

(b)       That an item on WASACRE be included on the agenda for future meetings for consideration by the Committee; and

(c)        That contact be made with Further Education establishments within Flintshire to discuss collaborative work being undertaken in the future.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE presented the minutes of the meeting of Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) held on 23 November 2012.  

                        During discussion it was agreed that an item on WASACRE be included on the agenda for future meetings for consideration by the Committee.   It was also agreed that contact be made with Further Education establishments within Flintshire to discuss collaborative work being undertaken in the future.

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the minutes be received;

(b)       That an item on WASACRE be included on the agenda for future meetings for consideration by the Committee; and

(c)        That contact be made with Further Education establishments within Flintshire to discuss collaborative work being undertaken in the future.

To receive information of Walk to celebrate 40^th Anniversary of RE Council (verbal).

That the update be noted:

The Senior Learning Adviser RE gave a verbal update on  developments concerning the sponsored Walk to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of RE Council.  He advised that half the funding raised would be donated to the local charity Abergele Youth Action

RESOLVED:

That the update be noted:

Consultation on Proposed Changes to Home to School Transport

Mrs. R. Price referred to the proposed consultation on school transport and

commented on the possible consequences on the intake of denominational

schools.  She suggested that individual members of the Committee may want

to look at the proposal and consider how they might wish to respond or

that it was an issue which SACRE may want to consider. 

Following discussion it was agreed that the Vice-Chair would send a letter to

the Director of Lifelong Learning to express the Committee’s concerns

regarding the proposed changes.

RESOLVED:

That the Vice-Chair would send a letter to the Director of Lifelong Learning

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 3^rd July 2013 at 2pm in the Clwyd Committee Room, County Hall, Mold.

                        The Chairman informed members that the next meeting of the Committee had been scheduled for Wednesday, 3 July 2013 at 2.00 p.m. in the Clwyd Committee Room, County Hall, Mold. 

The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. and ended at 4.30 p.m.