Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: COUNCIL CHAMBER, NANT HALL ROAD, PRESTATYN
Contact: Committee Administrator (KEJ)
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APOLOGIES |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised. |
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URGENT MATTERS AS AGREED BY THE CHAIR Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. Minutes: No urgent matters had been raised. |
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MINUTES OF LAST MEETING PDF 157 KB To receive the minutes of the Denbighshire SACRE meeting held on the 22nd October, 2014 (copy enclosed). And to consider any matters arising. Minutes: The minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious
Education (SACRE) meeting held on the 22nd October, 2014 (previously
circulated) were submitted. Accuracy – Page 6, 5. SACRE Draft Annual
Report 2013/14 – Ms M Ludenbach explained that the
absence of examination data for Blessed Edward Jones Catholic School in terms
of 2013 related only to GCSE Results and not A Level Results. Matters Arising – Page 6,
5. SACRE Draft Annual Report 2013/14 – The Challenge Adviser (CA)
for GwE (SL) confirmed that the Annual Report had
been forwarded to WASACRE and had been included on their website. Page 7,
6. Analysis of Inspection Reports – The CA confirmed that letters
had been sent to the respective schools congratulating them on the good
features identified in their Estyn Inspection
Reports. Page 9,
8. RE and Local Communities – The CA confirmed that dates had now
been agreed to meet to discuss the practicalities of arranging sessions for RE
Coordinators. RESOLVED that, subject to the
above, the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 22nd October, 2014
be received and approved as a correct record. |
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ANALYSIS OF INSPECTION REPORTS PDF 72 KB To receive the analysis of the recent Estyn Inspection Reports (copy enclosed). Additional documents: Minutes: The CA submitted a report (previously circulated) analysing the
results of the recent Estyn inspections in terms of
RE provision and collective worship in four schools between March and June
2014. Inspections had been carried out
at Prestatyn High School; Borthyn
V.C. Primary School; Ysgol Penmorfa and Ysgol Pendref. Members were provided with a brief resume of
the findings relating to each school and the positive comments and outcomes
were noted by Members. The CA made
particular reference to the following:-
RESOLVED - that the report
be received and its contents noted. |
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EXAMINATION RESULTS 2013 PDF 62 KB To consider a report analysing the examination results for 2013. Additional documents: Minutes: The CA submitted the Summary of Examination Results 2013-14
Report (previously circulated) which included details of:- -
GCSE Religious Studies – Full Course. Ms M. Ludenbach responded to a question
from Mr D. Oakes and confirmed that Blessed Edward Jones did have Full
Course Results. The CA explained that he
had included all the results provided by Blessed Edward Jones, and he agreed to
contact the school to seek further information. Mr Oakes expressed concern
regarding the decrease in numbers at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. The CA explained that no further information
had been received from the school. Mr G. Craigen
explained that he had been lead to believe that the Welsh medium entry had
experienced problems as a result of staffing issues. In reply to a question from Ms
M. Ludenbach, the CA outlined the process for obtaining
data and highlighted the problems experienced in gathering
information, which had resulted in difficulties in compiling statistics. Schools and the Local Authority were
using “Fischer Family Trust” to be able to further analyse the data within and
across schools. -
GCSE Religious Studies – Short Course. Mr D. Oakes expressed concern
regarding the disparity between the Local Authority and All Wales entry figures
for pupils. The CA explained that data
provided by the WJEC had highlighted a significant increase in Full Courses
over the past three years. He also provided
details of the perception in the difference of the value of Full and Shorts
Courses in England and Wales, in terms of University accreditation. In response to the concerns
raised, Mr Oakes suggested that representations be made regarding the concerns
raised by SACRE Members regarding the status of Statutory Religious Education. The SL
highlighted the move back to knowledge based learning, adopted in England, with
no reference to issues such as moral decision making. He confirmed that the approach by the WJEC in
Wales had been more favourable with regard to the content of the courses, and a
consultation process had been undertaken. -
GCSE Religious Studies – A - Level. The CA agreed to examine the
accuracy of the A Level results provided with regard to St Brigids. SACRE Members were informed that
Blessed Edward Jones no longer had a sixth form. However, RE courses were provided at Prestatyn High School with an option also at Rhyl College. -
Results Comparisons to National Average (Full
Course A* - C) (Short Course A* - C). -
Results Comparisons to National Average – A
Level. -
All Religious Studies. -
GCSE Results 2014: All Religious Studies. -
GCSE Results 2013: All Religious Studies. -
GCSE Results 2014: All Religious Education Short Courses. -
GCSE Results 2013: All Religious Education Short Courses. -
GCSE Advanced Level Results 2014: All Religious
Studies. -
GCSE Advanced Level Results 2013: All Religious
Studies. RESOLVED – that, subject to the
above, the the Summary of Examination Results 2013-14 Report be received
and noted. |
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To receive a PowerPoint presentation created by WJEC for the WASACRE Autumn meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The CA introduced the PowerPoint
presentation created by the WJEC,
Religious Studies: Data Feedback, for the WASACRE meeting on the 26th November
2014. The presentation had considered
important changes in the trends regarding Religious Studies examinations, particular
reference being made in the anomalies between provision in England and Wales. The CA provided a
detailed summary of the contents of the presentation which included the
following issues, and matters raised by Members of SACRE:-
Reference was made by SACRE Members to the average split, both at AS/A2
level, being predominantly female orientated.
Reference was made by Mr D. Oakes to the A2 level figures for
Christianity provided on Page 46 and he questioned whether students were
receiving RE Education from alternative sources or providers. The CA suggested that there could be teacher
bias in choosing the units to be taught in schools, and reference was made to
the availability of provision in some Denbighshire schools. Mr Oakes suggested that
representations be made by SACRE expressing the views that it was felt that
Religion and Ethics and Philosophy of Religion remain as separate units. The CA explained that the consultation
process had concluded in England.
However, the opportunity could still arise in Wales through the WJEC and
he agreed provide a response to encourage keeping them as separate units. In response to a question from Mr Craigen regarding the future validity of courses in England
and Wales, the CA explained that he understood that there would be very
different statutory duties in England and Wales with the WJEC offering those
duties in Wales.
Following further
discussion, it was:- RESOLVED – that the:– (a) report be received and its contents noted,
and (b) Systems Lead GwE provide a response from SACRE to encourage keeping Religion and Ethics and Philosophy of Religion as separate units. |
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SCARE AND CONSORTIA ARRANGEMENTS PDF 73 KB To receive feedback from WASACRE on how Members could support the work of SACRE’s. Additional documents: Minutes: The CA explained that WASACRE had fed back the results of Members discussions on how they may
be more involved in the role of local SACREs.
The report outlined some of the responses and findings on how to support
SACREs as they sought to support and monitor Religious Education and Collective
Worship in their local schools. The SL provided a
detailed summary of the PowerPoint presentation circulated with the papers for
the meeting, and summarised the questions, as detailed below, and the responses
received:- ·
How can members contribute to the work of SACREs? ·
How can we ensure regular attendance from all groups? ·
How could you persuade people to become a SACRE member? Ms S. Harris suggested the appointment of a
Press Officer. ·
How can we monitor RE and collective worship? ·
How can we support schools to deliver good RE and CW? ·
How can we ensure that LAs support SACREs Mr D. Oakes referred to consideration being afforded to SACRE meetings
being held in schools. The CA agreed to
liaise with the respective schools regarding the suggestion. It was suggested by Mr G. Craigen
that the RE Department of the host school be invited to provide a presentation
at the SACRE meeting. Members were
informed by Ms H. Pearson that Ysgol Llewellyn, Rhyl would be happy to
host a SACRE meeting. The Chair
explained that the schedule for all forthcoming Council meetings would be
considered at County Council. RESOLVED – that the:- (a) CA write to schools with a view to holding SACRE meetings on site at
the schools, and (b) report be received
and its contents noted. |
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RE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES PDF 60 KB To receive a verbal report on the case studies to support the schools working with their local religious communities. Minutes: The CA provided a verbal update on the project to support
schools working with their local religious communities, and explained that
although the number of responses received had not been as high as anticipated a
sufficient number had been obtained. The
majority of case studies received had been Christian based and a further e-mail
had been circulated seeking further details and information pertaining to other
faith communities in the area. Members
were informed that sufficient numbers had been received for inclusion in the
case studies. Reference was made to responses received in relation to
Secondary School activity which involved travelling to areas such as Manchester
and Liverpool, and it was felt that such activity be included in the project as
it reflected activity in the North. The CA referred to the
forthcoming WASACRE meeting, to be hosted by Flintshire, which would include an
agenda item on presenting the case for working with local communities, in
conjunction with St Giles Wrexham and their provision for local schools. The difference in provision between the North
and South was highlighted by the CA, who felt the presentation would require a
wider context of the various faiths. During the ensuing discussion the CA explained that the
document should be finalised and circulated to schools at the commencement of
the summer term, and then presented to the WASACRE meeting in Flintshire. RESOLVED - that the verbal
update on the RE and Local Communities project be received and the position
noted. |
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(a) To
receive the minutes of the meeting of the Association held on the 26th November,
2014 (copy enclosed). (b) To
agree attendance to the next WASACRE on the 6th March, 2015 at
Pembrokeshire. (c) FYI
- 25th June, 2015 Flintshire hosting WASACRE and WASACRE AGM. Additional documents: Minutes: (a) Minutes of WASACRE – 2 July 2014 The draft minutes of
the meeting of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) held in Pontypool on 26th November, 2014 (previously
circulated) were submitted for members’ information. RESOLVED - that minutes of WASACRE
held on the 26th November, 2014 be received. (b) WASACRE meeting – 6th March, 2015 The SL advised that
the next WASACRE meeting would be held on the 6th March, 2015 in Pontypool, and confirmed that he would be attending on
behalf of Denbighshire SACRE. (c) WASACRE and WASACRE AGM – 25th June, 2015 The CA advised that Flintshire would be hosting WASACRE and WASACRE AGM on the
25th June, 2015, and confirmed that he would be attending. Members agreed that Mr
Dominic Oakes also attend the meeting. RESOLVED - that the CA and Mr Dominic Oakes attend the next WASACRE and WASACRE AGM on
the 25th June, 2015. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING To note the time and date of the next Denbighshire SACRE meeting on the 29th June, 2015. Venue to be confirmed. Minutes: The 29th June, 2015 at a venue to be confirmed. The meeting concluded at 11.40 a.m. |