Agenda and draft minutes

None.

Councillor Emrys Wynne nominated Councillor Ellie Chard to continue as Chair.  All Committee members present agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that Councillor Ellie Chard continue as Chair of SACRE

Councillor Emrys Wynne nominated Jennie Downes to be Vice Chair.  All Committee members present agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED that Jennie Downes be Vice Chair of SACRE

None.

To receive the minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education held on 24 June 2021 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) meeting held on 24 June 2021 (previously circulated) were submitted.

The RE Advisor requested if any Committee Members had any community members of variety of faiths who wished to be presented at a future meeting, to confirm details with him.

Dominic Oakes clarified that in the future minutes, faith should be noted as faith and belief.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 24 June 2021 be received and approved as a correct record.

To receive a presentation from Libby Jones about the new qualification that will meet Agreed Syllabus expectations at KS4.

To consider how best to promote the qualification to local Secondary Schools.

Libby Jones gave a presentation regarding the new qualification which would meet the agreed syllabus expectations at KS4.  The presentation was to be circulated to Committee members following the meeting.

The qualification was for 14-16 year olds who had not opted for GCSE religious studies.  It was accessible for learners of all abilities.   The qualification was in line with the current agreed syllabus.

The worldviews approach would be more inclusive for all learners.

It was confirmed that Level 1 of the qualification would be good for special schools and learners with additional needs.  It had been developed with additional learning needs in mind.

The aim was not just to learn about God but to learn about religious values and ethics.  This was to be a more inclusive way of working with learners.

During discussion members of the Committee confirmed their approval and support to the qualification.   All present thanked Libby Jones for her presentation.

RESOLVED  that Members of SACRE confirmed their approval and support to the qualification.

To receive a presentation from Kathy Riddick, Wales Humanists Coordinator, on Humanism in Wales.

Unfortunately, Kathy Riddick, Wales Humanists Co-ordinator on Humanism in Wales, was unable to attend due to illness.

To consider and approve the draft SACRE Annual Report 2020/21 (copy attached).

The RE Advisor presented the draft Annual Report for Denbighshire SACRE 2021/2022 (previously circulated) for approval which provided details of SACRE’s activities during the previous academic year including advice given to the local education authority together with other local and national matters.

The RE Advisor reminded members that the Annual Report was a historic document and he sought approval of the report, subject to an amendment of errors.  He provided a summary of the report and drew particular attention to the following:

·         It was confirmed that in minutes for the future, when mentioned “faith” it should be “faith and belief” and “religion” should be “religion and philosophical convictions”

·         Denbighshire SACRE adopted the ‘National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3-19 year olds’ as the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Denbighshire in 2008. The framework continued to be the basis of the Agreed Syllabus in Denbighshire. The Agreed Syllabus would be reviewed once the guidance for Religion Values and Ethics was published.    

·         SACRE’s main function was ‘...to advise the authority upon such matters connected with religious worship in county schools and the religious education to be given in accordance with an agreed syllabus as the authority may refer to the council or as the council may see fit.’  Education Reform Act 1988 s.11 (1) (a)

·         Estyn ceased standard inspections from Sept 2020-21 to allow schools time to prepare for the new curriculum beginning September 2022.  Also, due to the pandemic, Estyn did not undertake inspections from March 2020. 

·         SACRE members met three times during the academic year.  All meetings were held electronically due to the pandemic.  

·         Denbighshire published its first SACRE newsletter in collaboration with Conwy, which provided schools with news related to RE/RVE and was especially important during the preparation for the new curriculum. 

·         Members of SACRE and the LA were represented at three meetings of WASACRE and received some of the presentations that had been made.  SACRE continued to receive reports from representatives attending the meetings of the Association.  Minutes and papers from WASACRE had also been presented at SACRE meetings.

Members were content to receive the report as a true record of SACRE’s work.

RESOLVED that –

·         The Annual Report of Denbighshire SACRE for 2020/2021 be approved as an accurate account of SACRE’s work, and

·         The Local Authority be requested to arrange for the report to be translated into Welsh and made available to all schools and colleges in Denbighshire and other recipients as required by law as identified in the report.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held online 16 June 2021.

The RE Advisor, Phil Lord, presented the WASACRE minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2021 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that SACRE members receive the minutes of the WASACRE meeting 16 June 2021

Spring 22 – 1 February 2022

Summer 22 – 23 June 2022

Autumn 22 – 19 October 2022

The date of the next meeting will be:

1 February 2022

23 June 2022

19 October 2022

The meeting concluded at 11.20 a.m.