Agenda item

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

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the RE quality framework be included on the agenda for discussion at the next scheduled meeting of SACRE.     

The Systems Leader introduced the report on the analysis of inspection reports for five schools inspected under the new Estyn Framework between November 2012 and January 2013:-

YsgolMaes Garmon, Mold

Sealand CP School

YsgolMynydd Isa, Bryn y Baal

Wood Memorial CP, Saltney

Sychdyn CP

            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.  He also detailed the negative comments for learning experiences and care, support and guidance about not complying with the statutory requirements for Collective Worship and the recommendation in the report about the need to comply. 

            Mr. R. Keating expressed significant concern about the comments shown in the report as they did not appear to reflect anything to do with religion.  The report made no statement about religious education in schools, included a small amount about collective worship and made no reference to the development of religious education or collective worship.  Councillor Colin Legg concurred and said that some aspects of religion were fundamental and that SACRE was not fulfilling what he had hoped.  Councillor Chris Bithell also agreed with the comments of Mr. Keating and Councillor Legg but said that there seemed to be a change in emphasis from previous reports and queried whether this was due to a change in approach by Estyn.  The Systems Leader said that there had been a change in 2010 to reduce the key questions from 7 and this had resulted in generic data which did not focus on specific subjects.  The monitoring procedure had continued until 2012.  He said that he now worked within a broad context of school improvement.  On the role of SACRE he said that the self evaluation questionnaire would replace the monitoring report and that this was discussed at the previous meeting.  He commented on other ways that SACRE members could monitor schools which could include undertaking visits as SACRE still had a duty to monitor Religious Education and Collective Worship.    The committee would be asked to consider the RE quality framework at the meeting scheduled for the Autumn term.  

            Mr. Keating said that his comments were not a reflection of the work undertaken by the Systems Leader but were about the report completed by Estyn which followed a formulaic style.  He added that he felt that the reports were too general.  Following a discussion, Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer suggested that future monitoring reports not be included in the agendas.  Councillor Chris Bithell suggested that a letter be sent to the Minister on whether there was a continuing need for SACREs.                                 

            In response to the comments made, the Chairman said that the questionnaire should provide the information required by SACRE about the monitoring of Religious Education and Collective Worship and added that WASACRE were also considering the issue.  The Systems Leader said that a letter would be sent out if a school did not reply to the questionnaire and if Collective Worship was not being carried out, this would be highlighted in the Estyn report. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the RE quality framework be included on the agenda for discussion at the next scheduled meeting of SACRE.