Agenda item

To receive a presentation on the opportunities schools can use to provide mandatory RE for learners in Year 10 and 11.

The RVE Adviser introduced the item, the purpose of which was to provide members and schools with a presentation on the opportunities schools could use to provide mandatory Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) for learners in Year 10 and 11.

The presentation had been circulated with the agenda and the RVE Adviser guided members through the PowerPoint which included reference to the following –

·       the change from Religious Education (RE) to RVE reflected an increase in the scope of knowledge, skills and experience covered by its various disciplines

·       the mandatory status of RVE for children aged 3 – 16 and the legislation summary for RVE which incorporated ‘non-religious philosophical convictions’; parental right to withdraw for RE removed for schools delivering the Curriculum for Wales from 2022; schools having regard to the Agreed Syllabus and the Religion, Values and Ethics guidance; Spiritual Development requirement which could be developed in all areas of the curriculum not just RVE or Humanities

·       links to the Curriculum for Wales landing page, Humanities Area of Learning Experience (AoLE), Designing your Curriculum page, and RVE Guidance

·       the RVE Guidance having been written to complement the Curriculum for Wales and sections reference the cross-cutting themes, cross-curricular skills, integral skills and Statements of What Matters together with spiritual development, further concepts relevant to the discipline of RVE and the RVE Lens

·       the RVE lens would help schools and settings understand significant aspects of RVE and identify opportunities for RVE within the statements of what matters to support curriculum development

·       all maintained schools must have regard to the locally Agreed Syllabus and RVE Guidance and examples were provided of how this may be included in a school’s rationale statement in county, foundation, voluntary controlled and Church in Wales and Roman Catholic voluntary aided schools

·       detailed potential planning options for RVE using a variety of approaches.

At the close of the presentation the RVE Adviser emphasised that RVE was a unique and important subject on the curriculum, and across other subject areas such as science and technology, and how it was important that knowledge was not abused but brought out the best in pupils in their learning and problem solving.

The presentation was well received by members and tribute was paid to the RVE Adviser on his work and members reflected on their own experiences of spirituality and learning.  There was some debate regarding the responsibilities of schools in providing the mandatory requirements for RVE and ensuring that provision was meaningful and consistent for every learner.  The Principal Education Manager reported on a Working Group involving deputy and assistant headteachers from seven secondary schools in Denbighshire, supported by the GwE’s core lead for secondary schools and the Council’s Engagement and Progression Manager on designing their new curriculums for September in line with the new expectations and Curriculum for Wales.  The task of meeting all the curriculum requirements within the school timetable was a huge challenge but the work had been beneficial.

The Chair discussed with the RVE Adviser what further information could be provided to SACRE on RVE provision within secondary schools across all year groups, and what learners gained from that provision, with a view to providing support and encouragement to schools as appropriate.  However, the need to balance gaining that information without putting additional work on teachers was highlighted.  It was agreed that the RVE Adviser and Principal Education Manager discuss how best to progress the issue outside of the meeting and report back to SACRE thereon.

RESOLVED that the presentation on the opportunities schools can use to provide mandatory RVE for learners in Year 10 and 11 be received.