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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 9 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Conwy SACRE Annual Report 2022-2023 be approved.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of SACREs held on 21 March 2023 and 19 June 2023 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Chair of Conwy SACRE together with Robin Millar MP, write to schools in respect of establishing links with the global south.
RESOLVED: That it be requested that Conwy SACRE meetings revert be being held as multi-location meetings.
It was proposed and seconded that Roger Boon be nominated as Chair of the Conwy SACRE for 2023-2024. Following a vote, it was: RESOLVED: That Roger Boon be elected as Chair of the Conwy SACRE for 2023-2024.
It was proposed and seconded that Sam Earlandson be nominated as Vice-Chair of the Conwy SACRE for 2023-2024. Following a vote, it was: RESOLVED: That Sam Earlandson be elected as Vice-Chair of the Conwy SACRE for 2023-2024.
Apologies for absence were received from Reverend Alan Brown (Welsh Baptists), Councillor Julie Fallon, Councillor Abdul Khan, Karl Lawson (deputy head teacher), Colette Owen (Roman Catholic) and Eirian Pierce (teacher).
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 9 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 9 February 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 9 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.
Welsh Government Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) training for Governors. • In order to progress matters relating to (RVE) training for Governors, the Head of Education Services would request that a representative from the Governors Association attend a future meeting of Conwy SACRE. • The Head of Education Services and the Religious Education (RE) consultant would also attend a meeting of the Governor Association to discuss the matter. Governor questionnaire • Only one response had been received from Governors to the Conwy SACRE questionnaire. • The Governor Support Officer could assist with encouraging completion of the questionnaire. • It was suggested that the questionnaire should have been sent to Chairs of Governors as opposed to head teachers due to the high volume of requests they received. Training video from the Spring SACRE meeting (9 February 2023) • The RE consultant had provided a presentation on the training provision for RVE in the new curriculum during the Conwy SACRE meeting held on 9 February 2023. • The RE consultant would share the training video with the Education Improvement Team and the teacher network so that it could be circulated within the wider school clusters. Monitoring time allocation RVE • As this was an operational matter, it would be referred to the Education Improvement Team (EIT). • Conwy’s agreed syllabus included that 5% of the curriculum would be spent on RVE. • Responses received to the Conwy SACRE questionnaire had indicated that 1 hour or more per week was spent on RVE. • Further data would be available in respect of time allocation once the RE consultant had met with the teacher network. • It was recommended by the Church in Wales that voluntary aided schools allocated 5-10% of the curriculum on RVE. Wales Association of SACREs all Wales case studies on the implementation of the RVE framework. • Case studies would be from schools in South Wales. • The RE consultant would provide a further update once further details had been received. • Professional learning modules were available which included good practical examples.
The RE consultant provided an update on the Teacher Network. The following was highlighted: • The network had met twice. • Terms of Reference had been established. • Communication lines to and from school clusters had been discussed. • Whilst the Religion Values and Ethics (RVE) supporting guidance had been useful, updated guidance was required in respect of implementation. The following was discussed: · Teachers had responsibility for humanities as a whole, which was a broad topic, and therefore there was a possibility that RVE could be overlooked. · An example was provided of a primary school which ensured that all subject areas within humanities were taught equally. · The need to consider teacher wellbeing due to additional pressures associated with wider subject areas was highlighted.
The Chair welcomed new members to Conwy SACRE and highlighted the following: • A humanist representative and a special school representative had been appointed. • A pupil referral unit representative was being sought. • A link to a SACRE member training video would be circulated to all members of Conwy SACRE.
The Chair advised that a consultation with schools had been deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic and pressures facing schools. The RE consultant provided members with a presentation which summarised the 21 responses that had been received. As results indicated that schools were not familiar with the work of Conwy SACRE, the Head of Education Services suggested that the Chair of SACRE be invited to attend primary and secondary head teacher meetings to raise awareness. The RE consultant would request that a questionnaire reminder be issued via the teacher network. A reminder would also be included within the local authority school newsletter.
The RE consultant advised that Welsh Government professional learning modules for Religion, Values and Ethics were available as well as GwE training resources. Links to the resources were included within the Conwy SACRE annual report. Denbighshire SACRE would receive a presentation regarding RVE within Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and it was suggested that Conwy SACRE could also attend.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Conwy SACRE Annual Report 2022-2023 be approved.
The Conwy SACRE annual report 2022-2023 was presented. Members were advised that as there was a requirement to produce a report for Standing Advisory Councils for Religion, Values and Ethics (SACs) as well as SACRE,reference was made to both within the report. Thanks were extended to the RE Consultant for the comprehensive report. The following was discussed: • No negative comments in respect of RE in schools had been raised within Estyn Inspections carried out during 2022/2023. • Following a query in relation to the Welsh translation of the third paragraph of the Chairman’s introduction, the RE consultant would check the translation within the Hwb online teacher platform and would update the annual report accordingly. RESOLVED: That the Conwy SACRE Annual Report 2022-2023 be approved.
The RE consultant advised that 8 Estyn Inspection reports had been analysed. The following summary was provided: • 1 school had received positive comments regarding wellbeing and attitudes to learning. • 3 schools had received positive comments regarding teaching and learning experiences. • 8 schools had received positive comments regarding care, support and guidance. The Conwy SACRE Estyn analysis report would be circulated to members for information.
The Chair and RE Consultant had provided a response to the Qualifications Wales consultation on the full qualifications offer on behalf of Conwy SACRE. There had been a significant decline in pupils studying Religious Education at both GCSE and A Level. Discussions would take place with schools where RE take-up had not declined. Conwy SACRE had promoted the AGORED Wales qualification, due to the more academic nature of the new GCSE qualification. Draft Religious Studies specifications were available on the WJEC website. New RE qualifications would be introduced in 2026 which would consist of a GCSE option, as well as a level 1 option that would meet the requirements of the statutory requirement for Religion, Values and Ethics for years 10 and 11. Other qualifications were available through NCFE, such as the equality and diversity vocational qualification, however there was no requirement for specific religious content. The following was discussed: • It was confirmed that the number of pupils undertaking the AGORED qualification was increasing, however exact figures were not yet known. • The Head of Education Services would share data with the RE consultant regarding GCSE subjects chosen by pupils in Conwy as opposed to RE.
Collective Worship The Chair advised that collective worship in schools was the responsibility of Conwy SACRE and would be discussed over the next 12months. The RE Consultant had produced materials to aid collective worship in schools and would provide a presentation to Conwy SACRE during 2024. Agreed Syllabus Awareness Clarity was required in respect of ‘having regard’ to the agreed syllabus. The RE consultant would discuss with the teacher network and information in respect of the Agreed Syllabus could be included with the Local Authority newsletter to schools. Establishment of Pupil Voice Forum The Head of Education Services suggested that the Chair discuss the possibility of establishing a Pupil Voice Forum at the secondary Head Teacher meeting. Conwy has a well-established youth council as well as individual school councils. A pupil SACRE could be considered or a SACRE Youth Council representative could be appointed. Establishment of a pupil voice forum would be discussed at the Conwy Youth Council and the RE Consultant would be invited to attend.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of SACREs held on 21 March 2023 and 19 June 2023 be noted.
The Minutes of the meetings of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) held on 21 March 2023 and 19 June 2023 were presented. The RE Consultant provided a verbal update in respect of the meeting held on 25 October, 2023. A WASACRE conference would be held in June, 2024 and SACREs were invited to put forward Agenda Items. A questionnaire would be circulate to SACRE Members. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of SACREs held on 21 March 2023 and 19 June 2023 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Chair of Conwy SACRE together with Robin Millar MP, write to schools in respect of establishing links with the global south.
Local MP, Robin Millar had contacted the Chair, in order to discuss promoting links with the global south within Aberconwy. The local, national and international context section of the new curriculum would allow for these links to be explored. RESOLVED: That the Chair of Conwy SACRE together with Robin Millar MP, write to schools in respect of establishing links with the global south.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That it be requested that Conwy SACRE meetings revert be being held as multi-location meetings.
The Chair sought feedback from Conwy SACRE Members in respect of virtual meetings. The Chair felt that, as he was not remunerated for his role as chair, he would value the opportunity to attend meetings in person and interact with other Members. Whilst some members welcomed the opportunity to attend in person, others felt that virtual meetings offered more flexibility. The Chair was advised that the multi-location meeting policy stated that joint committees such as SACRE were not required to be held as multi-location meetings and it had been agreed that Conwy SACRE would be held as a fully remote meeting. A request could be submitted for a meeting to be held as a multi-location meeting, if there was a genuine need. However, this would not be a permanent change. The majority of attendees at Conwy SACRE multi-location meetings had attended virtually and consideration should be given to unnecessary travel. The Council could facilitate for the Chair and RE Consultant to attend a Council office and sit in the same room during the meeting. Staff resources should also be considered. RESOLVED: That it be requested that Conwy SACRE meetings revert be being held as multi-location meetings.
The next meeting would be held in February 2024.
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