Agenda item

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

Cllr B was encouraged by the work shown especially during the time when pupils were out of school. CH also acknowledged the tremendous work of schools in supporting wellbeing of children which is a vital part of the blended learning offer.

            Cllr B welcomed the efforts of schools at this time and enquired how religious and moral education had continued.  VB advised that the basic curriculum requirements for Wales, and associated assessment arrangements for schools and non-maintained nursery settings, have been amended as part of the Coronavirus Act 2020, subject to monthly reviews. Schools must make all reasonable endeavours to fulfil their curriculum duties. There has been no detailed analysis of individual subjects across schools but GwE have worked with schools to look at blended learning and provided reports to Education Scrutiny Committee.

            VB advised that this means schools should do everything they reasonably can to teach to the full curriculum duties. If after taking all reasonable steps schools have not fulfilled their curriculum requirements then they will be considered to have met their legislative duties.

            WG operational guidance states with particular reference to Collective Worship that “Groups should be kept apart, meaning that schools should avoid gatherings such as assemblies or collective worship with more than one group”.

            Schools across Wales have developed a ‘Blended Learning’ approach to teaching and learning to accommodate pupils who are learning in different environments – at home or at school due to the pandemic. The four consortia and Estyn have produced models of blended learning. RE Learning Networks are also working on material and resources have been shared on Hwb. There is now an emphasis on producing quality resources to promote the best practice in RE as well as on progression, since this continues to be a necessary model of learning. There are also examples of RE in the Estyn and Consortia Blended Learning guidance document.

            Schools were holding virtual assemblies for classes, year group and even whole school when in school last term. More challenging with remote learning.

            Cllr B enquired how schools have approached wellbeing of children. SP advised that in his school they have recorded assemblies via SeeSaw for parents and pupils on wellbeing and RE related, with weekly activities that families can take together. LO reported that the Diocese have produced really good supporting resources which can be shared at school or at home and cited the Xmas celebrations which were shared virtually.  JC reported that he had received good advice from the GWe RE Challenge Adviser and his school had built a church from lego.

            VB reported that some schools are still delivering assemblies online and producing resources for pupils; e.g. Holocaust Memorial Day and Children’s Mental Health Week.  WASACRE have produced some guidance for schools.

            HPD welcomed how schools have been using the resources and advised that resources were available from the Presbyterian Church Wales bilingually. He reported that unfortunately an officer from the Scripture Union Trust had been made redundant it had become a role for churches together to support children and families.

            WASACRE agreed to a small working party to produce a paper on supporting schools with Collective Worship during the Coronavirus crisis, which was published in early July and shared with SACREs. This document is available bilingually on the WASACRE website www.wasacre.org.uk. The Executive has also considered the value of the working party producing a similar paper for RE during the Coronavirus Crisis;  

            There are also a wide range of resources being added to the WJEC digital website to assist teachers with blended learning.

Cllr B was encouraged by the work shown especially during the time when pupils were out of school. CH also acknowledged the tremendous work of schools in supporting wellbeing of children which is a vital part of the blended learning offer.