Agenda and minutes

Sylvia Harris agreed to act as Chair due to Maxine Bradshaw being unable to attend the meeting and there was no vice-chair in post.

SILENT REFLECTION

The meeting began with a few minutes silent reflection.

A letter received from Co-optee Member, Mairwenna Lloyd was read out by the Chair.  Mairwenna Lloyd had tendered her resignation on her Doctors recommendation due to ill health.  The Chair expressed her sadness at the resignation of such a dedicated Member of the Committee as Mairwenna had been a prominent member of SACRE for many years and the Committee offered their good wishes to be sent to Mairwenna.  The Senior Learning Adviser RE to write to Mairwenna on behalf of the SACRE.

Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting.

No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised.

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.

No urgent matters had been raised.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) requested nominations for the position of vice-chair.  The nominees were required to be a representative of a religious denomination as the Chair, Maxine Bradshaw was a representative from the Teacher Association.

Rev. Martin Evans-Jones was nominated and seconded as vice-chair.

RESOLVED that Rev. Martin Evans-Jones be appointed as vice-chair of SACRE.

To receive and approve the minutes of the Denbighshire SACRE meeting held on 29^th June, 2012 (copy enclosed) and to consider any matters arising.

The minutes of the meeting of the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) held on 29^th June, 2012 (previously circulated) were submitted.

Accuracy –

Page 8 – should read “Approximately 450 pupils passed through …” not “150”.

Page 9, Item 9 – should read Ysgol Esgob Morgan and not Ysgol Morgan.

Matters Arising –  None.

RESOLVED that subject to the above the minutes of the SACRE meeting held on 29^th June, 2012 be received and approved as a correct record.

Presentation by the British Humanist Association on “How the Humanist Association can support the work of SACRE”.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) reported that the British Humanist Association had been invited to the meeting to give a presentation entitled “How the Humanist Association can support the work of SACRE”, but, to date, had not received any response.  SLA:RE confirmed the item would be re-arranged for a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the British Humanist Association be invited to attend a future SACRE meeting.

To consider a report by the Senior Learning Adviser RE (copy enclosed) analysing the results of the recent inspections of four schools undertaken between March 2012 and May 2012.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) presented the Analysis of Inspection Report (previously circulated).

Four schools had received an Estyn Inspection in the summer of 2012, namely:

Ø      Ysgol Hiraddug, Dyserth

Ø      Ysgol Y Faenol, Bodelwyddan

Ø      Denbigh High School and

Ø      Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen.

The issue was raised of the fact that within the learning experiences section, it stated that Ysgol Y Faenol were less effective in promoting global citizenship.  SLA:RE confirmed he would make contact with Ysgol Y Faenol to discuss what assistance could be forthcoming to assist with this issue. 

A suggestion was put forward that an invitation could be offered to the School Improvement Officer for Ysgol y Faenol, to attend a future SACRE meeting for an update.  This was agreed.

A further issue was raised regarding Ysgol Dinas Bran as it was stated within the report that the majority of form tutor periods and assemblies did not meet the statutory requirement for the daily act of collective worship.   The SLA:RE explained he had visited Ysgol Dinas Bran and would be attending the next PLC (Professional Learning Community) meeting to discuss how this issue could be rectified for the future.   Unfortunately, the same issue had been reported following the previous Estyn inspection.   Following the previous report, a great deal of work had been carried out with the school but maintaining consistency over a number of years had proved difficult.

RESOLVED that:-

• the report be received and noted;
• a letter be sent to each of the four schools informing them that their Inspection Report had been considered, congratulating them for the good features identified and reminding them of the services of the Senior Learning Adviser RE and School Improvement Officers in relation to any areas for development or key issues needing addressing;
• to request the LA to distribute the letters to the schools involved.
• to invite the School Improvement Officer for Ysgol y Faenol to a future SACRE meeting for an update regarding promoting global citizenship.

To consider a report by the Senior Learning Adviser RE (copy enclosed) to approve the draft SACRE Annual Report.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) presented the report (previously circulated).

SLA:RE reported it was a statutory requirement on the SACRE to produce an Annual Report of its work, and the Annual Report was to be made available to DfES prior to 31^st December, 2012.  Members must take into account the draft report to hand was for 2011-2012 and not the current year.  SLA:RE requested the draft annual report be checked for accuracy.  The amendments required were as follows:-

Ø      Page 22  3bii – this should read “DfES” not DCELLS

Ø      Page 24 DCELLS to be amended to DfES.

Ø      Page 25 – at the bottom of the page there was a duplication of %.

Ø      Page 26 – Second line from the top should read “majority of pupils receive a…..” delete the word “to”.

Ø      Page 31 – 3 b) ii) this should read DfES not DCELLS.

Ø      Page 32 – Representing Religious Denominations – Methodist has “Heulwen Ellis” as the member but should read “Rev. Martin Evans-Jones” as he took over from Heulwen approximately 2 years previous.  SLA:RE confirmed he would check this item.

The issue regarding the number of membership vacancies was raised.  SLA:RE stated there had been difficulty regarding the uptake of membership places.   It was suggested that Vicky Barlow, the new Headteacher of St. Brigid’s School, Denbigh could be approached to sit on SACRE and also Isobel Barros-Curtis, the Headteacher of Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn, Denbigh on behalf of the Teacher Associations.

RESOLVED that:

• subject to the above, the report be approved
• request the LA to have the report translated into Welsh, printed and distributed to all schools and colleges in Denbighshire, and other recipients as required by Law and as identified in the report
• to invite the Headteacher of St. Brigid’s School, Denbigh and also the Headteacher of Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn, Denbigh, to become members of SACRE on behalf of the Teacher Associations.

To receive the minutes of the last meeting of the Association held on 29^th June 2012 (to follow).

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) apologised to the members of SACRE due to the fact that the minutes from the previous WASACRE meeting had not yet been received, but would be available at the next SACRE meeting.

SLA:RE gave a verbal report.  The previous WASACRE was held in the Conwy Business Centre.  Lesley Frances of the St. Mary’s Centre gave a presentation. St. Marys had carried out a project of the Cathedral event held last Christmas and noted feedback from pupils about their experience in the Cathedral.  This event was shown to have had a positive effect on those who had attended especially regarding Christmas religion.

Lesley also showed within his presentation, he had hard evidence showing how well RE was improving standards in schools.  There were some people really interested and concerned RE was going forward and it was a positive step RE was being advised by such knowledgeable individuals.   SLA:RE stated it had been an extremely positive presentation. 

RESOLVED that the verbal presentation be received.

To receive a verbal update from the Senior Learning Adviser RE regarding the competition for schools to produce resources that will include Literacy and Numeracy in Key Stage 2 and/or Key Stage 3 Religious Education.

The Senior Learning Adviser RE (SLA:RE) gave a verbal report informing Members of the Literacy/Numeracy within RE competition for schools. 

SLA:RE informed the Committee it had been agreed at the last meeting to delay the closing date of the literacy and numeracy competition to the end of this term.  This was because previously, only one entry had been received.  It was agreed that the top 5 entries would be brought to the next meeting.  SLA:RE to send an email to teachers to encourage them to send in an entry.

It was raised that rather than a competition, it could be promoted within another model, e.g. a sharing exercise.  SLA:RE confirmed in the past this had been tried.  It was hoped that the motivation of £200 prize money would encourage more entries. 

SLA:RE confirmed he would also check if emails sent through to schools were being directed to the relevant Departments.

RESOLVED that SLA:RE inform schools of the competition.

The next meeting of Denbighshire SACRE will be held at 10.00 a.m. on Friday 1^st February, 2013 at the Council Chamber, Nant Hall Road, Prestatyn.

The next meeting to take place on Friday, 1^st February, 2013 at 10.00 a.m.

Venue – Council Chamber, Nant Hall Road, Prestatyn.

In closing the meeting, the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance.

The meeting concluded at 11.00 a.m.