Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff un ei ysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion. Mae'r agenda a'r papurau isod.
T Simmonds, Cllr S Adan.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a true and accurate record.
The report was presented jointly by Newport City Council’s Head of Education and the representative from the Education Achievement Service (EAS). The forum asked questions on the following topics. • To clarify the scope of the report and the organisation of schools within Newport. • Information gathering from Estyn and examination results. • Progression in the attainment of grades in religion, values and ethics (RVE). The representative from the EAS assured the forum that the report could be amended to address their concerns. The Chair confirmed that local schools are under the oversight of Newport City Council. The representative from the EAS notified the forum that the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (WASACRE)was liaising with Estyn on solutions such as statutory requirements. The Chair suggested that the report should note that Estyn reports are being considered where RVE is being delivered in exam results. The Cabinet Member for Communities noted that faith schools within Newport are inspected independently of Estyn. The Head of Education stated that links with Curriculum for Wales are considered in evaluating information for RVE. The representative from the EAS noted that it fell outside of the remit of the forum to request specific data from schools. They explained that this was reconsidered from abnormal trends in the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdowns, which is now under WASACRE’s consideration. The Head of Education stated that where the information is provided, it is very useful to the Council’s identification of requirements concerning attainment. The representative from the EAS confirmed that reports from Estyn are published, and the schools provide them to the EAS. Further information can be provided for the forum’s next meeting. The faith representative for the Church in Wales (CiW) schools informed the meeting that Section 50 inspectors are being trained for the new framework. The forum heard that ordinarily faith schools would be inspected at the same time as secular schools, but this would not happen under the proposed new framework. The Chair noted that this places additional pressure on primary schools. The representative from the EAS informed the meeting that the EAS is working in partnership with secondary schools to ensure that RVE is being taught appropriately across age grades. The forum agreed the report pending amendments being made.
The representative from the EAS provided an update on the Youth SACRE. The forum heard how a youth forum for RVE has been created in conjunction with schools in Malpas and Clytha. The representative from the EAS credited the learners for their outstanding work creating resources on different beliefs and creating a logo for the Youth SACRE. Representatives from CiW schools concurred on the enjoyment of the pupils on completing this project in collaboration with other schools. The representative from the EAS noted that the Youth SACRE forum is crucial to demonstrating what RVE means to pupils and welcomed ideas from the forum for the future of Youth SACRE. The forum suggested that a visit to a local mosque would benefit Youth SACRE, as would consideration of environmental ethics in RVE. The forum asked for an update on the terms of office for Youth SACRE, and whether students can be co-opted from other institutions such as the Youth Council. The representative from the EAS explained that Youth SACRE members are appointed for a one-year term and may be re-elected beyond one year. All schools will have access to the Youth SACRE beyond this year. The Chair suggested that links may be explored between the Youth Council and SACRE to act as a consultative process for decision-making. The Head of Education agreed on the possibility of this idea, and invited members of the forum to observe the next meeting of the Youth Council on the 18th of February 2025.
The representative from the EAS provided an update on WASACRE’s summer meeting in Wrexham. Items of interest to the forum included an update on the Welsh Joint Examinations Committee (WJEC) new GCSE specification for RVE. This is still in draft form, awaiting approval from Qualifications Wales. The representative from the EAS acknowledged educational anxiety at the forthcoming changes, but assured the forum that support is available to schools on this matter, and the minutes will be published from WASACRE’s summer meeting in due course. The Chair requested an update on this issue at the forum’s next meeting. The representative from the EAS updated the forum on efforts to establish a network of collaboration between schools, specifically focusing on the non-assessed aspects of the RVE qualification. The forum requested further information concerning attendance at WASACRE meetings. The Chair confirmed that this would be an action point for the forum.
The forum raised concerns over attendance and sought possible solutions to repeated non-attendance at its meetings. The Chair noted that attendance was usually higher for in-person meetings and referred to the proximity to the Christmas holidays. The Head of Education suggested that any members who do not attend any of the forum’s meetings over the course of a year should be removed from the attendance list. This was approved by the forum. The forum suggested that the White Ribbon campaign as a campaign for Youth SACRE to consider. The forum confirmed that the next meeting would take place on the 1st of April 2025 at Charles Williams CiW Primary School. The Chair closed the meeting at 10:30am.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.