Loading
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 the Conwy SAC(RE) held on 7 November 2024 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That, subject to the above amendments, a letter be sent from the Conwy SAC(RE) to Qualifications Wales highlighting concerns in respect of the new Religious Studies GCSE.
RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant), Kathryn Mann (Church in Wales), Neil Hawkins (Welsh Humanists) and Claire Heeley (Cytun – Colwyn Bay and Rhos on Sea) be appointed onto the Working Group to review the draft Collective Worship Policy.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 14 November 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant) and Collette Owen (Roman Catholic) represent Conwy SAC(RE) at the next meeting of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE).
Apologies for absence were received from David Ashworth (Muslim community representative), Councillor Jacob Williams and Teacher representatives Hayley Jones, Karl Lawson and Janine Tenant Jones.
It was agreed that appointment of Vice-Chair be deferred as no nominations were received. RESOLVED: That the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Conwy SAC(RE) be deferred to the next meeting.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy SAC(RE) held on 7 November 2024 be approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Conwy SAC(RE) held on 7 November 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy SAC(RE) held on 7 November 2024 be approved as a correct record.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant presented information in respect of the Teachers' Voice Survey for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). The survey was open to teachers across Wales. A link to the survey would be included within the Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) school’s newsletter and shared via the teacher network. The Head of Education Services confirmed that details of the survey would be shared with head-teachers via the strategic head-teachers’ group.
The Chair welcomed new Members to the Conwy SAC(RE) and advised that discussions were ongoing in respect of appointing a Union of Welsh Independents representative. There was still a vacancy for a second primary head-teacher. Given the increasing educational expertise on Conwy SAC(RE). It was the intention to involve more members in the preparation, discussion and follow up to important agenda items.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that a pupil friendly questionnaire on how Religion, Values and Ethics was being taught and received had been circulated to Head-teachers for feedback. One school had shared the questionnaire with pupils, who had found the questions too difficult. The questions would be simplified prior to circulating to all schools. The data from the questionnaire was considered beneficial to Conwy SAC(RE) and schools.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that links to Holocaust Teaching resources had been shared with schools. Reminders would be sent to schools periodically in respect of the materials and where to access them.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant had provided a presentation on the work and responsibilities of Conwy SAC(RE) to the Governors Association on 30 January, 2025. Governors had also received information regarding the Welsh Government Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) Playlist for Governors. Information in respect of a Governor vacancy on Conwy SAC(RE) had been circulated; however, no nominations had been received. It was suggested that designated Governors with responsibility for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) be approached. The Head of Education Services and the RE Consultant would discuss how best to share information with Governors in respect of the Conwy SAC(RE) vacancies.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant provided an update on the Teacher network. A calendar of future meetings had been provided to encourage attendance. The network was becoming more proactive and keener to share good practice. Secondary school teachers were very concerned about the nature and availability of RE courses for year 10 and 11 pupils. The Head of Education Services advised that, whilst teachers were eager to engage, the amount of information requested and the pace of change was overwhelming.
The Chair and the Religious Education (RE) Consultant had met with Joshua Andrews (Director - National Centre of Religious Education for Wales (NCREW)). The following had been discussed or agreed: • NCREW. would be publicising a suite of support for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) teachers. • An A level conference for North Wales would be organised at Ysgol John Bright. • Specific resources on the Church in Wales were being produced particularly in relation to Cynefin by illuminating its role in localities. • Professional learning for teachers on World Views was being developed. • NCREW would develop a mentoring system for non-specialists. A team of 6 mentors would be assembled and there would be a primary and secondary programme operating in alternate years. • The NCREW director would provide a summary of NCREW support for the Conwy SAC(RE) newsletter. • A collaboration would be developed on assessing the extent to which mandatory RVE requirements were being met. • The RE consultant would brief NCREW on the development of the collective worship initiative. • The Chair would approach local CYTUNs to build a list of Church leaders and lay workers willing to support RVE in schools. • Serious concerns regarding the current GCSE offer and the mandatory provision of RE were widespread and shared by NCREW.
Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That, subject to the above amendments, a letter be sent from the Conwy SAC(RE) to Qualifications Wales highlighting concerns in respect of the new Religious Studies GCSE.
Further to a resolution at the Conwy SAC(RE) meeting on 7 November 2024 (Minute 25 refers), a letter had been drafted to Qualifications Wales highlighting concerns with the provision of Religion Values and Ethics (RVE) Qualifications in Wales. The Chair had included a section within the letter, which expressed his own personal views and clarification was sought from Members of Conwy SAC(RE) as to whether this should be submitted as a separate letter. The following was discussed: · The Chair would contact Janet Finch Saunders (MS) to raise the concerns of SAC(RE) in relation to the provision of RVE Qualifications in Wales · Concerns were raised in respect of how the provision of RVE for year 10 and 11 pupils was monitored. · The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that the Agored qualification would not cease until after the new GCSE was implemented. Agored would then introduce a skills suite. · It was suggested that the letter to Qualifications Wales should express the importance of continuity of RVE. · It was queried how many pupils were choosing RE as a subject and how many schools would offer the course through the medium of Welsh. - The academic nature of the qualification and the weight of its content compared with other subjects in the areas of learning and experience (AOLE) were likely to reduce the take-up of the subject. - It was confirmed that the number of pupils studying GCSE and A-level RE was reducing. - Schools were not required to offer a formal RE qualification as they may meet the mandatory requirements by other means. - Regular updates on qualifications and uptake were provided to the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE). · Schools were concerned that the Agored course was due to come to an end. - Resources were being shared and updates would be provided to schools in respect of when the qualification would no longer be available. · It was agreed by the Chair that references to homosexuality within the syllabus referred to in his letter should be amended to read sexual orientation. · It was agreed that the letter from the Conwy SAC(RE) be sent to Qualifications Wales, but that the personal views of the Chair be provided within a separate letter. RESOLVED: That, subject to the above amendments, a letter be sent from the Conwy SAC(RE) to Qualifications Wales highlighting concerns in respect of the new Religious Studies GCSE.
The Chair advised that changes to the Conwy SAC(RE) Constitution had been approved by Council on 30 January 2025 (minute 650 refers).
The Chair advised that there had been no changes to the SAC(RE) Strategic Plan since the last meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant), Kathryn Mann (Church in Wales), Neil Hawkins (Welsh Humanists) and Claire Heeley (Cytun – Colwyn Bay and Rhos on Sea) be appointed onto the Working Group to review the draft Collective Worship Policy.
Volunteers were sought to form a Working Group to review the draft Collective Worship Policy before it was endorsed by Conwy SAC(RE) and to consider how the use of the policy by schools could be monitored. RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant), Kathryn Mann (Church in Wales), Neil Hawkins (Welsh Humanists) and Claire Heeley (Cytun – Colwyn Bay and Rhos on Sea) be appointed onto the Working Group to review the draft Collective Worship Policy.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that the changes suggested at the last meeting had been made to the leaflet on the work of Conwy SAC(RE). The format had also been amended to a small poster and would now be circulated and promoted. The RE Consultant would attend the Education Improvement Service team meeting in order to discuss how best to promote the leaflet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 14 November 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 14 November 2024 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 14 November 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant) and Collette Owen (Roman Catholic) represent Conwy SAC(RE) at the next meeting of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE).
Volunteers were sought to represent Conwy SAC(RE) at the next meeting of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE). RESOLVED: That Roger Boon (Chair), Phil Lord (Religious Education (RE) Consultant) and Collette Owen (Roman Catholic) represent Conwy SAC(RE) at the next meeting of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE).
Members of the Conwy SAC(RE) were shown a video produced by the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE), which supported the understanding of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). The following was discussed: • The video was well received as it was appealing to young people. • There was some concern that there was no explicit mention of faith within the video. However, reference to religion, values and ethics was mentioned frequently. - As the video was time-limited, an enquiry led approach had been utilised to engage viewers. • It was suggested that reference to artificial intelligence (AI) was engaging for young people. • The use of students to introduce the subject was welcomed. • Whilst the use of both Welsh and English alongside subtitles was welcomed, it was also suggested that pupils may find it difficult to read the subtitles whilst engaging with the video. • Some felt that the purpose and outcomes of RVE had not been explained well enough. • It was hoped that SAC(RE)s would assist in promoting the video to schools, pupils and parents.
The date of the next meeting would be confirmed in due course.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.