Agenda item

To consider a report analysing the examination results for 2013.

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the Challenge Advisor assist the Chair in writing to GwE, on behalf of SACRE, to reflect the concerns raised on the decline in GCSE results in Flintshire for 2014 and to seek support; and

(c)       That an item on the effects of ‘Progress 9’ on religious education be included on a future agenda.

The Challenge Advisor presented a summary of examination results for religious studies at GCSE and Advanced Level, including short and full courses.  As a point of accuracy, he advised that there had been a 17.6% reduction on GCSE A*-C grades (full course) achieved at St. Richard Gwyn High School between 2013 and 2014.  He reminded members that some of the figures represented a small cohort number which should be taken into consideration on percentage outcomes.

It was pointed out by Councillor Nigel Steele-Mortimer that the 20.7% dip in GCSE A*-C Grades (full course) achieved in 2014 across Flintshire was not reflected in the all Wales figures which indicated a dip of just 1%.  The Chair felt that this may be due to a range of issues.  He referred to the challenges in encouraging learners and parents to recognise the ethos and effort needed to thrive in religious studies and the requirement for good literacy skills by the learner to succeed in this subject.  He also felt that dynamic teaching of the subject helped to encourage learners, suggesting that RE teachers could benefit from a greater level of support.

Councillor Chris Bithell echoed the concerns around the drop in results which was reflected across all of the schools listed and highlighted the need for good outcomes for learners to go on to further education or employment.

The Challenge Advisor commented that there was not the same level of direct county support for religious studies.  Councillor Bithell asked if this should be taken up with GwE.  Councillor David Mackie pointed out that the support provided by GwE had changed, in comparison to previous arrangements.

The Chair spoke about the recent restructuring at GwE which could provide an opportunity for support groups for religious education teaching.  It was agreed that the Challenge Advisor would assist the Chair in writing to GwE, on behalf of SACRE, to reflect the concerns raised and to seek a solution.

On the same issue, members discussed the need to understand the reasons behind the decline in results for Flintshire, for example whether there were staffing issues or variances due to the use of different examination boards.  The Challenge Advisor explained that candidates could be entered for both full and short courses in religious education, which could have a negative impact on the results.  He added that further analysis of the data indicated that perhaps Connah’s Quay and St. Richard Gwyn High Schools required support for this subject.

The Challenge Advisor reported an increase in the number of Grades A*-C achieved at Advanced Level 2014, which was also reflected in the all Wales figures.  An error on the table of results for the previous ten years (full course) meant that the figures in the column for 2014 were incorrect.

The Chair welcomed the steady increase in A-Level results over the past ten years.  He went on to talk about future changes to the curriculum in relation to ‘Progress 9’ proposals which could increase pressures on schools and potentially compromise religious education teaching.  It was agreed that this would be included as a future agenda item.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted;

(b)       That the Challenge Advisor assist the Chair in writing to GwE, on behalf of SACRE, to reflect the concerns raised on the decline in GCSE results in Flintshire for 2014 and to seek support; and

(c)       That an item on the effects of ‘Progress 9’ on religious education be included on a future agenda.