Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are reminded that they must declare the existence and nature of their declared personal interests.  

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 (copy enclosed).   

            That the minutes be approved as a correct record.     

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2014 were submitted.

            RESOLVED:

            That the minutes be approved as a correct record.    

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

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to the schools congratulating them on the positive outcomes of the inspections.

The Challenge Advisor introduced the report on the analysis of inspection reports for the following six schools inspected under the Estyn Framework between December 2013 and February 2014:-

            Ysgol Bro Carmel, Carmel, Holywell

Ysgol Maes Edwin, FlintMountain

Brynford C.P.School, Holywell

Saltney FerryC.P. School

Ysgol Derwenfa, Leeswood

Castell AlunHigh School, Hope

He said that there were no negative comments on Religious Education, Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development or Collective Worship and as Estyn had to report when Collective Worship was not meeting the statutory requirements, it could be assumed that this was being undertaken. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to the schools congratulating them on the positive outcomes of the inspections.

To receive a presentation. 

(a)       That the presentation be received: and    

(b)       That a letter be sent to the Governing Body at HolywellHigh School: 

- noting the concerns of SACRE that the school was not submitting entries for the GCSE exam in RE

- asking how the pupils were evaluated for RE

- and asking how the school was meeting the statutory requirements to deliver the subject.

The Challenge Advisor explained that a discussion had taken place at the previous SACRE meeting on the provision of RE at Holywell High School and it had been resolved that Huw Jones, Head of RE at the school, be asked to provide information about delivery of RE to this meeting.  As he had been unable to attend, he had provided a presentation for SACRE for delivery by the Challenge Advisor.  The main features of the presentation were:-

·        What is affective

·        So what happens at Holywell

·        Year 10 and 11

·        Some clips which pupils had worked on

Councillor Chris Bithell raised concern that RE at GCSE level had been sidelined due to the views of the humanist leadership at the school and felt that pupils wanting to take the subject should be given the opportunity to do so.  He felt that the fact that the course was not being provided needed to be raised.  Councillor Hilary Isherwood concurred but said that the use of films to relate to RE issues, as was detailed in the presentation, was a superb approach and suggested that books could also be used. 

    The Challenge Advisor raised concern about the academic level of RE being provided at the school.  Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer concurred with Councillor Bithell and said that he was impressed with the way RE was being promoted at the school but asked if SACRE could do anything about RE not being studied at GCSE level. 

            Mr. Ron Keating felt that it was difficult to make comments about other ways of teaching and suggested that the presentation had raised more questions than answers.  He said that SACRE needed to be satisfied that the agreed syllabus was being delivered one way or another and he also raised concern about the rigour of the academic nature of the subject and whether RE was being undermined.  He felt that pupils should be given equal opportunities and that concern should be raised that RE was not being offered at GCSE level because this had been determined by the leadership of the school.  Mr. Keating said that the role and responsibility of SACRE was to ensure that standards in RE were achieved at the right level.  He praised the work of the staff at the school for their delivery of RE but raised significant concern that the pupils were not being offered the opportunity to undertake RE at GCSE level.  He commented on the short course in RE and the low outcomes and standards which were in place prior to the re-introduction of the short course.  Councillor Steele-Mortimer thanked Mr. Keating for the response but felt that it was the duty of SACRE to take the issue of non-provision further. 

            Councillor Bithell queried whether the lack of provision could be because of reduced numbers of pupils wanting to undertake RE studies and asked whether the school was meeting its statutory requirement.  He added that a new School Head was to be in post at HolywellHigh School in the near  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive the transcript of a speech given at the REC’s AGM in Cardiff by Education Minister Huw Lewis (copy enclosed).

            That the document be received. 

The Challenge Advisor introduced a report which was a transcript of a speech given by the Education Minister Huw Lewis to the Religious Education Council of England and Wales Annual Conference. 

                        He said that the speech was positive on the issue of Religious Education in Wales and the WASACRE had written to the Minister to thank him for the speech.  The Challenge Advisor spoke about a meeting, which he had submitted a question to, which was being arranged with Professor Donaldson to discuss RE.

            RESOLVED:

            That the document be received. 

To receive a report by a Westminster ‘All Party Parliamentary Group on RE’ report (copy enclosed)

            That the report be received.     

The Challenge Advisor introduced the report by a Westminster ‘All Party Parliamentary Group on RE’.

                        Councillor Chris Bithell raised concern about the content of the first paragraph.

            RESOLVED:

            That the report be received.     

To discuss the possibility of SACRE creating a resource to encourage closer community links between schools and faith groups.  

(a)       That the update be received; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to all schools and circulated to all SACRE members requesting case studies about good practice of links between schools and churches

The Challenge Advisor explained that at the previous meeting, the issue of how to promote SACRE had been discussed. 

A discussion had taken place about ways in which SACRE could support schools and could be seen to be doing more in the community in Flintshire.  Denbighshire and Conwy SACREs had talked of creating a booklet that could be used by schools and churches and the Challenge Advisor asked whether Flintshire SACRE members also wished to pursue this. 

Councillor Chris Bithell queried to what extent it was needed as the inspection reports undertaken indicated that visits to schools had identified that there were already good links between schools and churches. 

The Challenge Advisor suggested that members of SACRE from Religious Denominations could take back to their faith groups details of what had been discussed at the SACRE meetings.  He also suggested that case studies could be sought from schools and religious groups and a booklet be created which could assist in the sharing of good practice already being undertaken.  Councillor Hilary Isherwood suggested that a way of promoting SACRE could be through a religious participant being on the Governing Body for Schools.              

Reverend Huw Powell-Davies spoke on the links which were already in place between Welsh Schools and Churches and said that sharing of the good practices would be of benefit to many people.  The Challenge Advisor suggested that case studies be sought from schools and religious denominations too but added that there would be a cost implication of approximately £400 for translation costs.  It was suggested that discussions on assistance with funding for translation be undertaken with Religious Groups. 

The Challenge Advisor advised that he would create a letter requesting case studies about good practice to send to all schools which would also be circulated to all SACRE members to share with Governing Body’s for Schools or Churches. 

RESOLVED: 

(a)       That the update be received; and

(b)       That a letter be sent to all schools and circulated to all SACRE members requesting case studies about good practice of links between schools and churches

(i)         To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Association.

(ii)        To agree attendance to the next WASACRE meeting scheduled for 2^nd July 2014 in Powys.

            (a)       That the minutes be received; and

(b)       That the Challenge Advisor attend the next WASACRE meeting on 2^nd July 2014 in Powys

(i)         To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Association

                        Councillor Chris Bithell proposed that the minutes be received, which was duly seconded. 

(ii)        To agree attendance to the next WASACRE meeting scheduled for 2^nd July 2014 in Powys

                        The Chairman said that he would try and attend the next WASACRE meeting scheduled for 2^nd July 2014 and the Challenge Advisor indicated that he would be able to attend. 

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the minutes be received; and

(b)       That the Challenge Advisor attend the next WASACRE meeting on 2^nd July 2014 in Powys

The next meeting will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, 1^st October 2014 in the Clwyd Committee Room, County Hall, Mold.

The Chairman informed members that the next meeting of SACRE had been scheduled for 2pm on Wednesday, 1^st October 2014 in the Clwyd Committee Room, County Hall, Mold. 

                        The Chairman explained that this was his last meeting in the Chair and expressed his thanks to the members for their contributions to the meetings during his time as Chair.