Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were given by Councillors Joe Welch, Dewi Owens and Bill Tasker.

The Group sent their sincere condolences to Councillor Tasker on the death of his sister.

The Chair confirmed the retirement and subsequent resignation from the Committee by Gavin Craigen. Cllr. Roberts suggested a letter of thanks be sent for Gavin’s input to the Committee.

Members are reminded that they must declare the existence and nature of their declared personal interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

No items were raised 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.

To approve and sign as a correct record minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) meeting held on the 26 June, 2015 (previously circulated) were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 26 June, 2015 be received and approved as a correct record.

To consider a report to approve the draft SACRE Annual Report.

The Challenge Advisor GwE – Phillip Lord (PL) – referred to the previously circulated report and explained that rather than discuss the contents of the report, the Committee’s role was to agree that it was an accurate reflection of what had been considered over the course of the previous year. To that end PL guided the Group through the report page by page.

Concern was raised over the amount of outstanding nominations for representation on SACRE. PL confirmed that supply cover was available for teaching staff who attend SACRE as was travel subsidy. It was felt that Heads may be reluctant to release teaching staff if there were no obvious benefit / purpose for the school. It was suggested that more school based items on the agenda might encourage increased participation.

The Group queried the data on page 9 of the Annual Report, specifically the absence of data for Blessed Edward Jones examination results. PL to check whether the table was for 2013 as stated.

RESOLVED - that the annual report be received and its contents noted.

To receive the analysis of recent Estyn Inspection Reports

Phil Lord introduced the inspection reports published during the summer term of 2015 for:

·         Christchurch C.P. Rhyl

·         Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin

·         Ysgol Melyd, Meliden and

·         Ysgol Dyfryn Ial, Llandegla.

The Group discussed the additional comments which provided positive feedback on performance outcomes and the provision of learning experiences - including care, support & guidance - for the majority of schools inspected.

Areas for development were flagged at Ysgol Melyd, regarding opportunities to develop awareness of other cultures / global issues and Ysgol Bryn Hyfryd where guidance on daily acts of collective worship was required.

The Church in Wales representative, Simon Cameron offered to attend Ysgol Bryn Hyfryd on behalf of SACRE for collective worship.

Members of the Group expressed frustration at being unable to watch an RE lesson being taught. PL explained that there was a wariness as to the purpose of such requests with the misconception that they were for evaluation purposes similar to inspections undertaken by Estyn.

Rev. Martin Evans-Jones feedback that he had joined a collective worship with Blessed Edward Jones school the previous week and this had been a good experience.

RESOLVED - that the report be received and its contents noted.

To receive a presentation regarding a bilingual resource available for all secondary schools.

Phil Lord introduced an initiative by Mary Parry, an RE advisor for Carmanthenshire, whose aim was to address the gap in RE learning between girls and boys by targeting a subject matter typically identifiable by boys – football.

Mary Parry created a CD ROM full of resources based on Muslim footballers in the premier league and the effect of their beliefs on their game and vice versa. Some of the characterisitcs addressed included:

·         Donations of 2.5% of savings to the Muslim Community.

·         Adaptation of prayer time around training

·         The morality of betting related sponsors etc. on club kit

·         Celebrations involving alcohol

·         Fasting during Ramadan, particularly on match days

The Committee agreed that the format did indeed present the subject of Islam engagingly and it could be adapted to present Christianity too.

Receive a presentation regarding the completed resource.  Recommend that the resource is sent to all Local Authority schools.

The Challenge Advisor for GwE explained that schools throughout Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire had been asked to submit case studies of how they work with faith groups. The idea being that they would create something inspirational by schools for schools.

The case studies in the report showed a variety of religious institutions had been visited; festivals and celebrations attended and ethical subjects discussed.

Specific mention was given to Ysgol Bryn Collen who had requested and received a grant from Archbishop Rice Jones Charitable Trust to purchase resources for the RE curriculum.

It was noted how social media had been used to promote the charity endeavours of Reverend Una and her dog Patrick walking Hadrian’s Wall.

The Group considered whether schools make the most of religious places and artefacts on their doorstep for cross curricula purposes.

RESOLVED That the resource is distributed to all Local Education Authority schools on behalf of SACRE with an evaluation form for feedback.

To discuss correspondence regarding the minister comments relating to changing the name of Religious Education

The Group discussed the content of a recent letter from Education Minister Huw Lewis. Rev. Martin Evans-Jones offered his view that contact with Mr Lewis be maintained and that as a committee they felt strongly about the place of RE in the curriculum.

Phil Lord informed the Group that WASACRE – for which he had just taken up the role of Chair – was working with Welsh Government in developing Religious Education within the new curriculum. He compared the proposals to the system currently in place in Scotland which could potentially lead to a dilution of religious content in favour of morality. PL suggested that WASACRE contained a range of expertise that could advise on a curriculum.

The Group speculated how subjects could be merged to create a successful cross curricula project and the difficulty on planning lessons with multiple subject schemes of work.

The Group agreed that PL should represent the Committee and WASACRE in future engagement concerning the design and development of a new curriculum.

RESOLVED - that the letter be received and its contents noted.

Promote teacher representation through school to school collaboration

The Group discussed the need to promote teacher representation on SACRE. They debated inviting school groups to attend the SACRE meetings.

RESOLVED that Schools be contacted to gauge interest.

i.              To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Association 

ii.            To agree attendance to the next WASACRE Blaenau Gwent 25^th November 2015.

(a)  Minutes of WASACRE – 25^th June, 2015

The minutes of the meeting of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) held in Mold on the 25^th June, 2015 (previously circulated) were submitted for Members’ information.

Phil Lord had presented items on the Partnership Working Project and Signposts: a Council of Europe initiative. PL reiterated that since the June meeting Gavin Craigen had retired and PL had replaced him as Chair of the committee.

RESOLVED - that minutes of WASACRE held on the 25^th June, 2015 be received.

(b)  Future WASACRE meeting to be held in Denbighshire

It was noted that Denbighshire would be hosting the WASACRE in the Council Chamber, County Hall at 10am on 23^rd June 2016. Invitation to the meeting would be extended to Karen I Evans, Head of Education.

To be confirmed

The next meeting of the Denbighshire SACRE would be held at 10.00 a.m. on Friday, 12th February 2016 at Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen.     

The meeting concluded at 11.50 a.m.