Agenda item

i.          Guidance for School Visits

ii.         New Professional Learning Opportunities for Religion, Values and Ethics

iii.        Qualifications Wales Consultation: The Full 14-16 Qualifications Offer

iv.        WASACRE Meetings : 19 June 2023

v.         Results of the WASACRE Executive Elections

The correspondence was accepted whilst noting

i.    Guidelines for Visiting Schools : a very comprehensive and useful document

ii.   New Professional Teaching Opportunities for Religion, Values and Ethics : ask GwE to hold a discussion regarding the new model and its suitability for giving Religion, Values and Ethics the due attention, whilst considering the provision of resources through the medium of Welsh.    It was also decided to write a letter regarding the provision of Welsh Language Resources (to ensure that they'll be available the same time as the English resources) in the name of  SACRE, the Head of Education and the Cabinet Member for Education to WJEC's Chief Executive, Head of WJEC Resource Department, The Education Minister and the Welsh Subcommittee 

iii.    WASACRE Draft Minutes 21 March, 2023 : note from the papers that WASACRE has work to update a number of documents such as the Joining SACRE Booklet to do in due course

iv.    Qualifications Wales Consultation: support the WASACREs response

It was noted that the Guidelines for Visiting Schools was a very comprehensive and useful document.

In relation to the New Professional Teaching Opportunities for Religion, Values and Ethics, it was noted that it was desirable for the English and Welsh language materials to arrive at the same time. The Head of the Education Department reported that this was an important step, and that SACRE had an important contribution to make, and that there were many opportunities to teach Religious Education within the humanities.  He also referred to a presentation by Lea Crimes on curriculum development, which was a good example of how to develop the curriculum. 

It was noted that different presentation methods must be offered, by focusing on initial teacher training, and that it was crucial to keep an eye on the situation.  The need to consider what would happen with GCSE was noted.  There may be more than one platform to voice an opinion. 

It was felt that it would be beneficial to ask GwE to hold a discussion regarding the new model and its suitability for giving Religion, Values and Ethics due attention, whilst considering the provision of resources through the medium of Welsh. It was also decided to write a letter regarding the provision of Welsh Language Resources (to ensure that they were available the same time as the English resources) in the name of SACRE, the Head of Education and the Cabinet Member for Education to the WJEC, the Education Minister and the Welsh Sub-committee. 

It was noted that it may be possible in due course to use the force of the words in the White Paper as a further opportunity to voice an opinion.

In relation to WASACRE Draft Minutes 21 March, 2023 and the relevant papers, it was reported that WASACRE had work to update a number of documents, including changing the format of reports as the guidance had dated.

In relation to the Qualifications Wales Consultation:  The Full Proposal of Qualifications 14-16, it was confirmed that WASACRE had submitted strong arguments, and had received the support of SACRE.

RESOLVED:

i.    Guidelines for Visiting Schools : a very comprehensive and useful document

ii.   New Professional Teaching Opportunities for Religion, Values and Ethics : ask GwE to hold a discussion regarding the new model and its suitability for giving Religion, Values and Ethics due attention, whilst considering the provision of resources through the medium of Welsh. It was also decided to write a letter regarding the provision of Welsh Language Resources (to ensure that they would be available the same time as the English resources) in the name of SACRE, the Head of Education and the Cabinet Member for Education to WJEC's Chief Executive, Head of WJEC Resource Department, the Education Minister and the Welsh Sub-committee 

iii.    Draft Minutes: note that WASACRE had work to update documents

iv.    Qualifications Wales Consultation: support WASACRE’s response

                        The meeting commenced at 3.30 p.m. and concluded at 16:45 p.m.

CHAIR