Agenda item

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

            (a)       That the report be received: and

(b)       That a letter be sent to all Head Teachers to reinforce the role of the Senior Learning Adviser RE and to raise the profile of SACRE with schools. 

The Senior Learning Adviser RE introduced the report on the analysis of inspection reports for five schools inspected under the new Estyn Framework between February and July 2012:-

            Ysgol Merllyn, Bagillt

            Drury CP, Buckley

            Ysgol Terrig, Treuddyn

            Ewloe Green CP, Ewloe

            St. Mary’s RC, Flint

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

                        Councillor C. Legg welcomed the report but he raised concern that there was little or no mention of Religious Education (RE) within the report as he felt that a basic knowledge of the bible should be taught.  In response the Senior Learning Adviser RE said that the Estyn Framework was based on the school self evaluation and added that RE and Collective Worship were still continuing in schools but that Estyn did not necessarily focus on it.  If the school put in their self evaluation that RE was being taught to the required standard, then Estyn would not report on it but would include a comment if it was not being taught.  Ms. J. Dickens queried whether the report was now of value to SACRE and that consideration should be given to a different way of reporting RE provision to SACRE.  Mr. R. Keating agreed that the report was bland but this was because of the constraints put on Estyn.  He felt that it was for SACRE to look at how the required information could be obtained and spoke of visits which had been undertaken by London SACRE to see the good practice in schools and to celebrate it. 

                        Councillor H. Isherwood asked whether it was possible for Estyn to be asked to include comments about RE in their reports.  Ms. Dickens responded that all schools had to follow a statutory curriculum which included RE but that it was not always monitored to the same degree as other subjects.  Mr. G.W. Jones spoke of an inspection which was due to take place at his school before Christmas and prior to this a departmental self evaluation form had been completed; he queried whether SACRE should ask to see the self evaluation forms.  The Senior Learning Adviser RE reminded the members that this item had been included on the agenda for SACRE for a number of years to allow for monitoring of RE, however the new Estyn framework had reduced the content of the reports.  He added that comments would be made by Estyn if RE and Collective Worship were not being met statutorily, so if SACRE continued to review the reports, they would be able to see where RE or Collective Worship were not being undertaken. 

                        Ms. R. Price welcomed the discussion and in querying how Welsh Government (WG) viewed RE, said that WG had produced a booklet in the summer term for every parent about the curriculum; it did not include RE.  She said that the only references to RE were that schools taught the subject and that parents could withdraw their children from RE.  Councillor R.C. Bithell felt that how WG viewed RE in the curriculum as a whole was an issue which should be pursued. 

                        Mr. R. Keating spoke of the agreed syllabus which indicated that Christianity was the predominant religion taught in schools.  Mr. H.E. Jones agreed with the suggestion made earlier by Mr. G.W. Jones that SACRE should see the self evaluation forms; the Senior Learning Adviser RE did notagree that the forms from schools should be requested.  Mr. H.E. Jones suggested that schools be contacted to find out what they were undertaking for RE and Collective Worship as it was a statutory obligation.  The Senior Learning Adviser RE felt that SACRE was in place to support schools and that asking for this information may give the impression that SACRE did not trust what was being undertaken in the schools.  Ms. Dickens felt that another questionnaire in schools would not be welcomed and Ms. M. Madoc-Jones added that the visits undertaken by the Senior Learning Adviser RE were more valuable than information obtained by a questionnaire.  Councillor Bithell said that in the past, schools had attended a SACRE meeting to give a presentation and queried whether this could be undertaken in the future.   

                        Following a discussion, Ms. S. Jones suggested that a letter be sent to Head Teachers to reinforce the role of the Senior Learning Adviser RE and to raise the profile of SACRE with schools so that they were aware of the support provided by SACRE. 

            RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the report be received: and

(b)       That a letter be sent to all Head Teachers to reinforce the role of the Senior Learning Adviser RE and to raise the profile of SACRE with schools.