To consider a draft annual
report prior to publishing the final copy.
Minutes:
The Draft Gwynedd
SACRE Annual Report for the 2014-15 academic year was presented for the
members’ approval, prior to the publication of the final report.
(A) Miss Bethan James explained that the purpose
of the Annual Report was to summarise the work undertaken by SACRE over the
previous year and it was important that the recommendations within the report
were drawn to the authority's attention. Members were guided through the
contents of the report and attention was drawn to the fact that 14 primary
schools had submitted self-evaluation reports during 2013-14.
In terms of the
three key questions in the ESTYN common inspection framework and specifically
the provision for collective worship, it was noted how important it was for
SACRE Members to visit the collective worship sessions in schools in order to
satisfy themselves that schools were in compliance with the statutory
requirements. It appeared that one
secondary school in the Bangor vicinity was anxious for a member of Gwynedd
SACRE to visit that school and therefore it would be useful for a member to
visit when the invitation was received.
Attention was
drawn to the fact that ESTYN inspections were a focus of last year's
discussions in terms of Ysgol Crud y Werin, Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle and Ysgol y Gader. A
presentation was received by Ysgol Crud y Werin and
an improvement was seen in the quality of the plans of the school in
question. Perhaps it may be timely to
invite Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle
and Ysgol y Gader to support SACRE by showing the
progress made in both schools.
Attention was
drawn to the SACRE work evaluation and satisfactory progress was seen against
the majority of the priorities.
It was noted that
one of the recommendations referred to the offer of seasonal workshops for
subject coordinators as they self-evaluate religious education and collective
worship in their schools. Miss Bethan
James explained that she had conducted half day workshops in Anglesey for any
School that required support and it would be possible to make similar
arrangements in Gwynedd if this was desired.
In response to a
query regarding the process of implementing and monitoring SACRE
recommendations for the authority, it was noted that the recommendations would
be submitted to the Head of Education.
Miss Bethan James
explained that it was the responsibility of SACRE to draft a religious
education Agreed Syllabus for Gwynedd Schools.
Members were reminded that SACRE adopted a common framework as the
Gwynedd Agreed Syllabus in 2008 and in accordance with the regulations the
Agreed Syllabus should be revised every five years. Gwynedd SACRE took the decision to wait
prior to review until it was known what would happen with the new curriculum
stemming from the recommendations of Professor Donaldson. It was trusted that, through the new members
of Gwynedd SACRE and a group of teachers to advise, this would assist SACRE to
respond to the principles of the 'Successful Futures' report by Professor
Donaldson.
Resolved: (a)
To accept and note the contents of the draft annual report for 2014/15.
(b) To approve the
recommendations proposed in the report.
Supporting documents: