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.
The forum attended a presentation from the pupils of Malpas Church in Wales Primary School and had a discussion with the pupils concerning what they had been learning in RVE. The forum expressed gratitude to the pupils for their detailed discussion.
H Stephens, T Simmonds, T Hills, A Lightbown, N Baicher.
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as a true and accurate record.
The Annual Report was presented to the forum by the Head of Education and the Educational Achievement Service (EAS) Advisor for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). The representative from Democratic Services noted that as the meeting was not quorate, no decision would be made on the adoption of the annual report in the meeting. The Advisor for RVE updated the forum on the need to reflect on the RVE teaching syllabus, which has been in use in educational settings for three years. This will be addressed in a forthcoming meeting of the SACRE. The forum requested a focus on cross-curricular elements in the teaching of RVE, hearing how RVE has been utilised in other aspects of the school curriculum. The forum also considered its role in monitoring provision of RVE through school visits, ESTYN inspection reports and reporting to the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE). The Head of Education invited the forum to consider visiting schools that had not been visited by the SACRE to this date. This is to ensure that a broad picture of RVE support across Newport schools is considered by the forum in its work. The Advisor for RVE concurred with the suggestion, reminding the forum that school visits enable schools to demonstrate their hard work on RVE. The Chair summarised that schools work hard to focus on RVE cross curricular learning. The representative from Malpas Church in Wales Primary School referred to the forum’s visit that morning as an example of showing what pupils have been learning. Councillor Drewett enquired how the forum could ensure a random sample of school visits by the forum. The Head of Education raised the possibility of visiting St Julians Secondary School. The Chair expressed satisfaction with the focus on visiting a secondary school. The forum queried the development of staff networks and its progression. The Advisor for RVE noted that the development is progressing well, with resources available to all staff regardless of attendance at network meetings. This is helping teachers in the creation of materials for use in the classroom. Examples of best practice within the classroom are being shared with the network. Resources from WASACRE are also shared with the network. The Chair questioned if the network receives any resources from the Muslim Council for Wales. The advisor for RVE referred the forum to resources received from the Islamic Studies department at Cardiff University. The forum noted the practicality of an “ask a Muslim” resource in challenging stereotypes around religion and belief. The representative from the Gwent Educational Multilingual Service (GEMS) suggested the opportunity of expanding the resource within the Newport area for different faith groups. The Advisor for RVE informed the SACRE of discussions with WASACRE and the Youth SACRE for two Newport schools to be represented among the forum. The Chair also noted the need to update the membership list and faith group representation on the SACRE.
The update on professional learning was presented by the EAS Advisor for RVE. Professional learning has been focused on teaching at GCSE level for the Religious Studies qualification, which commenced teaching in September 2025. Questions from the forum centred on the use of AI in questions about religious beliefs. The advisor for RVE welcomed any contact to answer curriculum questions from teachers and members of the forum. The Chair raised awareness of where education policy questions may differ between England and Wales.
This item was presented by the EAS Advisor for RVE. Invites to the forthcoming WASACRE meetings were encouraged among the forum where the opportunity exists. The representative from Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School raised concerns over the experience of schools in North Wales with misinformation. The forum noted instances across Wales where misinformation had been circulated concerning RVE. The forum emphasised the importance of effective RVE education in local communities to combat misinformation. The Advisor for RVE welcomed the attendance of Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Lynne Neagle to WASACRE meetings as a means of gathering feedback on the role of RVE in the Curriculum for Wales. The forum also recorded concerns over the impact of cuts in RVE provision at Cardiff University on current and future learners on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme. The representative from Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School questioned whether the SACRE could assist WASACRE in understanding the role of RVE in KS4 learning, apart from the religious studies GCSE qualification. The Advisor for RVE confirmed that the teacher voice project amongst KS4 is examining the impact of RVE in the wider curriculum. The forum also heard an update on the work of The European Forum for Teachers of Religious Education (EFTRE). EFTRE conferences take place every three years, with the next conference taking place in 2028. The conference is beneficial for considering European approaches to teaching RVE. In their absence, the forum received these comments from Huw Stephens. It was noted that Welsh Government is to draw up the guidance for the SAC's annual report, with no time frame given for its receipt. The representative expressed concern regarding the withdrawal of Short Course GCSE Religious Studies and the time it is taking for anything else to be put in its place from a qualification point of view. It was made clear that it was WG who withdrew the Short Courses, I believe, with little consultation. That qualification has gone but any replacement is taking too long to be introduced. The speaker on behalf of ESTYN underlined that Inspectors "don't investigate compliance" with regard to RVE, which makes the forum’s work as a SAC very difficult given the reliance on Inspection Reports as to the RE provision in our schools.
The forum noted that the dates of forthcoming meetings would be circulated in due course. The forum also requested that any prospective members of the SACRE contact the Head of Education at Newport City Council. The Chair closed the meeting at 11:24am.
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.