Agenda, decisions and minutes

To appoint a Chair for the Committee for the year 2021 – 2022.

Appointment of CM to Chair for 2021/22

Thanking Cllrs JA and MB for their proposed nomination, the Clerk advised the terms of reference for the Committee provide for the automatic election of Vice Chair to Chair. Catherine McCormack as current vice Chair was therefore nominated to Chair for 2021/22. Nomination accepted by Cllr CB and seconded by Cllr JA. 

Agreed: Appointment of CM to Chair for 2021/22

To appoint a Vice Chair for the Committee for 2021 – 2022.

Appointment of Cllr MB to Vice Chair for 2021/22 

Clerk advised the meeting of the rotating pattern for nomination of officers from either Members; schools or church representatives. Nominations for vice chair therefore requested from church representatives. No nominations were received therefore Cllr CB proposed Cllr MB, seconded by Cllr ADC.

Agreed: Appointment of Cllr MB to Vice Chair for 2021/22 

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

None declared except Councillors who are school governors

None declared except Councillors who are school governors

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting on 16 June 2021.

proposals on the new Standing Advisory Council to be brought to November meeting for discussion.

Agreed as a correct record.

Matters arising:

VB to send out WASACRE website link and confirmed that following the Workshop held in July, a response had been submitted to Wales Government on the consultation to the proposed statutory framework.  Anticipated that the new framework available by the end of the term. Planning on Spring Syllabus conference and sharing of resources across Wales underway; planning for support with professional development on the new curriculum for the Summer Term and an action on the SACRE to develop our new Standing Advisory Council as will be required under the new framework.

Action: proposals on the new Standing Advisory Council to be brought to November meeting for discussion.

To receive a verbal update by Jane Borthwick Primary Learning Adviser, Education and Youth Portfolio.  

VB will pass on thanks to schools and look to share news stories more widely through the Corporate Communications Team.

Jane Borthwick Primary Learning Adviser (JB) circulated examples of some of the activities schools have been engaging in this term where they are bringing the 4 purposes to life through Religion, values and ethics based activities:

Ysgol Y Llan Whitford have been working with their Ethos committee to improve values and Ethos in their school, this involved them in being creative contributors to the way things happen in their own school. They have shared their work via a playlist on the good practice section in HwB – the all wales learning resource

Ysgol Nannerch and Ysgol Nercwys have been working on many different areas which meet the 4 purposes of the new curriculum: Artist in Residence; World Religions, a topic pupils took forward as they were interested in Christianity and other faiths. Pupils each week explored and researched a different faith and created artefacts; Celebrating school values through Seren Yr Wythnos and VIP.

St Ethelwold’s school in Shotton:  year 3/4 children read the book 'We are all born free - The universal Declaration of Human rights in pictures'.  

Ysgol Y Foel, Cilcain: achieved recognition with the prestigious AONB Landscape Awardfor their ground breaking renewable energy project. Pupils share their schools achievements to benefit the school and environment, and achieve recognition from the AONB Landscape Award.

Chair thanked JB for her presentation and agreed to share with secondary colleagues. Cllrs CB and JA welcomed the information and opportunity to air and celebrate with schools, finding the stories uplifting and inspirational.  JD confirmed more examples can be shared of activities undertaken in the church in wales schools.

Action: VB will pass on thanks to schools and look to share news stories more widely through the Corporate Communications Team.

To receive a verbal update by Vicky Barlow, Senior Manager for School Improvement Education and Youth Portfolio

Estyn still monitoring schools in categories with engagement visits, looking at blended learning and thematic reviews. 

VB informed the meeting that Estyn have paused the autumn cycle of inspections to allow schools to concentrate on health and wellbeing and the requirements of the new curriculum and the Additional learning Needs Act.

New inspection arrangements to be trialled:

• Five inspection areas to be the same with Area 1 being termed learning not standards  
• The summative judgement to be removed to allow focus on the body of the report on strengths
• Reduce notice of inspection from 15 to 10 days
• Collective worship remains

Estyn still monitoring schools in categories with engagement visits, looking at blended learning and thematic reviews. 

Future meetings of Flintshire SACRE will be held at 4.00 pm on:

Thursday 25^th November 2021

Wednesday 9^th February 2022

Wednesday 8^th June 2022

Future meetings of Flintshire SACRE will be held at 4.00 pm on:

Thursday 25th November 2021;

Wednesday 9th February 2022 and

Wednesday 8^th June 2022

VB advised the next WASACRE meeting on the 23 November 2021; details to be circulated to members and virtual representation requested.

Future meetings of Flintshire SACRE will be held at 4.00 pm on:

Thursday 25th November 2021;

Wednesday 9th February 2022 and

Wednesday 8^th June 2022