Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 17 March 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That Robin Millar (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) be appointed as a co-opted member of Conwy SAC(RE).
RESOLVED: a) That Conwy SAC(RE)’s correspondence in respect of concerns regarding the Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) qualifications in Wales be shared with the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) in order to seek a steer in respect of the escalation of these concerns.
RESOLVED: a) That reference to a divine being remain within the Collective Worship Policy, but that the wording be reviewed. That, subject to the above amendment, the proposed changes to the Collective Worship Policy be approved.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 6 March 2025 be noted.
It was agreed that the appointment of Vice-Chair be deferred until the next meeting as no nominations were received. RESOLVED: That the appointment of Vice-Chair of the Conwy SAC(RE) be deferred to the next meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from David Ashworth (Muslim faith representative), Councillor Frank Bradfield, Rev. Dr. James Garnett (Methodist Church), Neil Hawkins (Welsh Humanists), Kathryn Mann (Church in Wales), Colette Owen (Roman Catholic), Dr. Tania ap Sion (St Mary’s Centre), Janine Tenant Jones (teacher) and Councillor Jacob Williams.
In the interest of transparency, the Religious Education Consultant declared a personal interest in agenda item 10i (Collective Worship) as he operates a business providing materials for collective worship.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 17 March 2025 be approved as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 17 March 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Conwy SACRE held on 17 March 2025 be approved as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That Robin Millar (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) be appointed as a co-opted member of Conwy SAC(RE).
The Chair advised that current vacancies on Conwy SAC(RE) included a Primary Head-Teacher, a Secondary Head-Teacher and a Governor representative. The Head of Education Services would seek nominations via the strategic Head-Teachers’ group. It was proposed and seconded that Robin Millar, who represented the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, be appointed as a co-opted member of Conwy SAC(RE). RESOLVED: That Robin Millar (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) be appointed as a co-opted member of Conwy SAC(RE).
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that a simplified set of questions would be provided to primary schools in order that a teacher-led discussion could take place on how Religion, Values and Ethics was being taught and received. A standard questionnaire would be circulated to secondary schools. Following the closure of the GwE Education Improvement Service, the Local Authority would maintain effective links with schools via School Improvement Advisors.
Progress on Ysgol John Bright conference • The Religious Education (RE) Consultant advised that the proposed National Centre of Religious Education for Wales (NCREW) A’ level conference at Ysgol John Bright would be postponed due to possible capacity issues. • Further consideration would be given to the logistics and topics to be covered at the conference. • Delivery of a conference would be included within the Conwy SAC(RE) Strategic Management Plan. Church in Wales Materials • Materials had been produced in respect of the Welsh Bible and consideration was being given to providing materials to schools in respect of Religion, Values and Ethics. • Work was taking place to improve accessibility of materials via the NCREW website. Mentoring • Detailed Information on NCREW’s mentoring initiative was not yet readily available. Concerns regarding GCSE • Bangor University were aware of concerns surrounding the RE GCSE and that a reduction in uptake would have an impact on those choosing RE courses at A’ level and higher education. • Cardiff University had withdrawn its religion and theology department due to lack of numbers. Professional Learning on Worldviews • NCREW would be providing seminars on faiths such as Buddhism and Hinduism and beliefs, for example, ethical veganism.
The leaflet produced by the Religious Education (RE) Consultant and Hayley Jones (Primary School Teacher) had now been amended following discussion at the last meeting, but had not yet been shared with the education imoprovemebnt team for a recommendation on how best to promote it. The leaflet could be shared with schools along with the Conwy SAC(RE) annual report.
The Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) had produced a video, which supported the understanding of Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). The Religious Education (RE) Consultant and the Head of Education Services would discuss the best way in which to share and promote the video by utilising the school cluster model.
Members of Conwy SAC(RE) were presented with the analysis of the recent ESTYN inspection reports into collective worship, religion values, ethics, spiritual, moral, social and cultural areas of learning. The following was discussed: • A new model was being piloted for Church in Wales school inspections. • Whilst data from Church in Wales inspections was not currently readily available, work would be done to seek to improve this. • It was felt that no meaningful feedback was provided in respect of Religious Education (RE) or Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) within ESTYN inspection reports. · These concerns had also been raised at the last The Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: a) That Conwy SAC(RE)’s correspondence in respect of concerns regarding the Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) qualifications in Wales be shared with the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) in order to seek a steer in respect of the escalation of these concerns.
Conwy SAC(RE) Members were presented with a response from Qualifications Wales to the letter sent to them from Conwy SAC(RE), highlighting concerns with the provision of the Religion Values and Ethics (RVE) Qualifications in Wales. Whilst the letter recognised the decline in uptake of the religious studies short course, concerns regarding the academic nature of the course were not acknowledged. The following was discussed: · It was confirmed that the biggest change to the GCSE was non examinable assessment units, which was in line with changes to other GCSE subjects. · The Religious Education (RE) consultant) noted that the National Advisory Panel for RE/RVE, of which he was Chair, had written to the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) to offer their support with the creation of a skills suite. - WJEC would also be establishing their own panel to assist with the development of the skills suite. · The Chair had met with Janet Finch Saunders (MS), Sam Rowlands (MS) and Josh Andrews (National Centre of Religious Education for Wales (NCREW)) to discuss the concerns of Conwy SAC(RE). - Sam Rowlands (MS) had written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the response had been circulated to members of Conwy SAC(RE). - The response and did not address all concerns raised. and there were inconsistencies in the response by Qualifications Wales. It was proposed that local support be provided in respect of the development of the skills suite. It was also proposed that Conwy SAC(RE)’s correspondence in respect of concerns regarding the RVE qualifications in Wales be shared with the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education WASACRE in order to seek a steer in respect of the escalation of the concerns. RESOLVED: a) That Conwy SAC(RE)’s correspondence in respect of concerns regarding the Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) qualifications in Wales be shared with the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) in order to seek a steer in respect of the escalation of these concerns.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: a) That reference to a divine being remain within the Collective Worship Policy, but that the wording be reviewed. That, subject to the above amendment, the proposed changes to the Collective Worship Policy be approved.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant had drafted a Collective Worship Policy. A Conwy SAC(RE) Working Group had reviewed the policy. The RE Consultant highlighted their proposed amendments. The following was discussed: • The Primary Headteacher representative advised that, whilst her school already had a policy in place, the document would be useful, especially in relation to suggested timings. • It was suggested that the Welsh Curriculum be referenced, including reference to the Urdd’s message of goodwill and peace. • Concern was expressed that secondary school teachers were expected to deliver collective worship within the classroom, which could result in the sharing of information as opposed to encouraging discussion. - A virtual training event would be held in 2026 to provide guidance to teachers. · It was suggested that examples of collective worship should be provided, especially for teachers who were not religious and had no experience of delivering collective worship. · It was confirmed that parents could opt for their child not to participate in specific topics as opposed to collective worship as a whole. · Whilst the guidance made reference to prayer, this was optional. · The Head of Education Services advised that support provided to schools in respect of collective worship had been welcomed, particularly by secondary schools. · It was felt that reference to a divine being should remain within the policy, but that further consideration be given to how it was phrased. RESOLVED: a) That reference to a divine being remain within the Collective Worship Policy, but that the wording be reviewed. That, subject to the above amendment, the proposed changes to the Collective Worship Policy be approved.
The Chair advised that a Working Group would be established to review the Conwy SAC(RE) Management Plan once a Vice-Chair had been appointed. Claire Heeley (Colwyn Bay and Rhos on Sea CYTUN representative) and Huw Roberts (Welsh Presbyterian Church representative) expressed an interest in being part of the Working Group.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 6 March 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 6 March 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) held on 6 March 2025 be noted.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant provided an update on professional learning for Religion, Values and Ethics. The professional learning playlist had been sent to School Governors and had been presented at the Governor’s Forum.
The Religious Education (RE) Consultant provided and update on the Teacher Voice Project. • Further promotion would be done to ensure that teachers were aware of the project.
Conference contributions would be included within the Conwy SAC(RE) newsletter.
Conwy SAC(RE) members were advised to inform the Committee Services Officer should they wish to represent Conwy SAC(RE) at the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE) on 2 July 2025.
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