Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee’s quorum requirements had not been met due to the fact there were no Education Members in attendance.  The meeting proceeded but any decisions made would need to be formally ratified at the Committee’s next quorate meeting.

The meeting began with a few minutes silent reflection.

To appoint a Chair of the SACRE Committee for the ensuing term.

The Challenge Advisor for GwE informed the Committee that Simon Cameron had stepped down from his role with the Church in Wales and, therefore, was no longer a member of SACRE.  Due to the resignation of Simon Cameron, a new Chair would need to be appointed.

As the meeting was not quorate, and there were no nominations put forward to be Chair, the Vice-Chair, Councillor Ellie Chard agreed to be Chair.

Noted that Councillor Ellie Chard take on the role of Chair for the meeting.

To appoint a Vice-Chair of the SACRE Committee for the ensuing term.

The Challenge Advisor for GwE informed the Committee that due to the fact the Vice-Chair, Councillor Ellie Chard had taken on the role of Chair, a Vice-Chair would need to be appointed.

As the meeting was not quorate, and there were no nominations put forward to be Vice-Chair, Councillor Tony Thomas agreed to be Vice-Chair.

Noted that Councillor Tony Thomas take on the role of Vice-Chair for the meeting.

No declarations of interest.

No urgent matters.

To approve and sign, as a correct record, minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 October 2017 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) meeting held 13 October 2017 (previously circulated) were submitted.

Accuracy – page 7, Item 9 should read “The Chair thanked members …..” and not “The Cahir thanked members …..”

Matters Arising:

Page 8, Item 10 – Response from SACRE’s letters to Schools

The Challenge Advisor for GwE informed members that there were issues due to the changes in the GCSE curriculum.  There were less pupils being entered for the short course and more for the full course.  Reports across Wales suggest that some schools were struggling to attain the results they were expecting and some had started to remove GCSEs completely from KS4.  The provision of RE within schools was mandatory but there was no requirement for pupils to gain a qualification.

Discussion took place and a suggestion put forward to work with the Head Teachers Federation as to how best RE could be delivered to pupils in Denbighshire.

NOTED that subject to the above, the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 13 October 2017 proposed for approval as a correct record at the Committee’s next quorate meeting.

To receive the Analysis of recent Estyn Inspection Reports (copy attached).

The Challenge Advisor for GwE introduced the report (previously circulated) which provided an analysis of Estyn Inspection reports published in the autumn term.

The inspections had taken place at three schools:

·       Ysgol Y Faenol, Bodelwyddan

·       Rhewl County Primary School, and

·       Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch, Llanrhaeadr

Details relating to each of the respective schools had been included in the report and were summarised by the Challenge Advisor.

Noted that the report be received and its contents noted.

To inform Members of the requirements of the new Inspection Framework.

The Challenge Advisor for GwE introduced a verbal report to inform members of the new inspection framework.

A short and concise You Tube video entitled “Estyn Inspection changes” was presented to highlight the changes.

Noted that members acknowledged the verbal report and accepted changes to the format SACRE receive Estyn report evaluations for schools in Denbighshire.

To consider a report analysing the examination results for 2017 (copy attached).

The Challenge Advisor for GwE introduced the summary of Examination Results 2017 report (previously circulated) for members to monitor provision for RE in schools and to be updated as to the results for the year.

It was highlighted that AS level data had been included within the report but there had been no national data for comparisons.

During discussion it was highlighted:

·       There was a lot of work involved highlighting A*-C grades where in fact A*-G were all classed as a pass.  It was felt that pupils should be made more aware of the pass grades.

·       None specialist teachers were stated by Estyn as not to be detrimental to a pupils education. 

NOTED that, subject to the above, the summary of the Examination Results 2017 Report be received and noted.

Monitoring and planning materials available for primary schools.

The Challenge Advisor GwE introduced the report (previously circulated) to provide an update on the training event which had taken place in June and July 2017.

It was summarised within a presentation and was agreed that the training had been a great success for pupils to analyse wider aspects of RE.

NOTED that the presentation be received and the contents noted.

(i)              Election of Executive Member of WASACRE

(ii)             To receive the draft minutes of the last meeting of the Association (copy attached)

(iii)            To receive an update from Welsh Government concerning the new curriculum

(iv)           To agree attendance to the next WASACRE meeting on 9 March, 2018 in Swansea

(i)              The minutes of the meeting of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) held at Bridgend on 10 November 2017 (previously circulated) were submitted for Members’ information.

(ii)             Nominations had been requested for a new member of the WASACRE Executive Committee.  Rev. Martin Evans-Jones put himself forward.

(iii)            The date of the next WASACRE meeting was 9 March 2018 and would be held in Swansea.

NOTED that the minutes of the WASACRE held on 10 November 2017 be received and noted.

4 July 2018

The next meeting of the Denbighshire SACRE had been scheduled for 10.00 a.m. on 4 July 2018 – venue to be confirmed.

The meeting concluded at 11.20 a.m.