NEATH PORT TALBOT Standing Advisory Council for …...curriculum and religious education. The...

NEATH PORT TALBOT

Standing Advisory Council

for Religious Education

[SACRE]

ANNUAL REPORT

2015 - 2016

SACRE Annual Report 2015 - 2016

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FOREWORD

By The

CHAIR OF THE SACRE

COUNCILLOR JANICE DUDLEY

It is my great pleasure to present to you this Annual Report from Neath Port Talbot SACRE, which outlines our work in the academic year 2015-2016. This has once again been a busy year and we are greatly indebted to the work of our teachers in the Authority and our officers of the LEA. A special note of thanks is given to our SACRE members for giving of their time to attend meetings and for supporting events. This year SACRE has monitored RE/Collective Worship in schools inspected by Estyn, organised community events including the Holocaust Memorial Evening & analysed data in respect of RE at GCSE Level. Cllr J. Dudley Chair of the SACRE


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SACRE

NEATH PORT TALBOT STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 – 2016

Contents Page

Forward by the Chairman of the SACRE Councillor J Dudley 1

Contents 2

Legal Framework 3 A. Constitution of the SACRE 4-8 1. Duty to establish SACRE

2. Membership

3. Chairmanship

4. Functions and Duties

5. Voting Arrangements 6. Meetings 7. Development Plan 8. Circulation of Report B Advice on Religious Education 9

C Examination Results 10-12 D Collective Worship 13 E Other Issues 13

Appendix A – Current Membership List 14-15 Appendix B – Development Plan 16

Appendix C – Circulation List 17


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LEGAL FRAMEWORK The 1996 Education Act placed a duty on every LEA to constitute a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). The constitution of the SACRE received the approval of the Education Committee on 10th April, 1996. The first meeting of the SACRE took place on 16th September, 1996. The Authority is required to set up a procedure for complaints on the curriculum and religious education. The procedure of the former Authority for the area has been adopted by Neath Port Talbot CBC. Copies of the complaints procedure are available in schools, the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Directorate and public libraries on request.


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A. CONSTITUTION OF THE SACRE

1 Duty to Establish SACRE:

All local Education Authorities (LEAs) are required to constitute a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) with their local area.

2 MEMBERSHIP The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) shall consist of persons appointed by the LEA to represent respectively:- (a) Christian denominations and other religions and religious denominations: Church in Wales (2); Roman Catholic (2); Free Church Council (2). (b) Associations representing teachers: NAHT (1) NASUWT (1) NUT (1) UCAC (1) (c) LEA: Members of the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning

Board (7); Challenge Adviser Before appointing a person to represent any religion, denomination or association as a member of the Council, the Local Education Authority concerned should take all reasonable steps to assure themselves that he/she is representative of the religion, denomination or association in question. The Council may co-opt members. Such persons shall be co-opted by members of the Council who have not themselves been so co-opted and a person so co-opted shall hold office on such terms as may be determined by the members co-opting him/her. Any member of the Council may at any time resign office.


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A member of the Council appointed by the LEA may be removed from membership by the LEA if, in the opinion of the LEA, he/she ceases to be representative of the religion, denomination or association which he/she was appointed to represent or (as the case may be) of the LEA. The validity of proceedings of the Council or of the members of the Council of any particular category shall not be affected (a) by a vacancy in the office of any member of the Council, or (b) on the ground that a member of the Council appointed to represent any religion, denomination or association does not at the time of the proceedings represent the religion, denomination or association in question.

3. CHAIRMANSHIP The Council shall, by election each year, determine the Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship of the Council from amongst its representative membership. 4. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES Under the constitution, the functions and duties are as follows:- (a) To advise the LEA upon such matters connected with Religious Worship

in County Schools and the Religious Education to be given in accordance with an Agreed Syllabus as the LEA may refer to the Council or the Council may see fit. These matters should include, in particular, methods of teaching, choice of materials, and the provision of training for teachers.

(b) To consider whether to recommend to the LEA that its current agreed

syllabus should be reviewed by convening an Agreed Syllabus Conference.

(c) To consider applications made by a headteacher, that the requirement

for collective worship in county schools be wholly or mainly of a broad Christian character, shall not apply to the collective worship provided for some or all of the pupils in a particular school. The Council may determine the effective date of any change. The Council may determine the manner and form of the application.

Any determination of the Council by virtue of which the requirement for Christian collective worship does not for the time being apply in the case


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of any school or class or description of pupils at any school shall be reviewed by the Council:

(i) at any time on an application made by the headteacher of the school

after consultation with the governing body; and

(ii) in any event not later than the end of the period of five years beginning on the date on which the determination first took effect or (where it has since been reviewed) with the effective date of the decision on the last such review.

(d) The Council shall publish a report each year with respect to the

exercise of their functions and any action taken by representative groups of the Council.

The report shall in particular:

(i) specify any matter in respect of which the Council have given advice to the LEA;

(ii) broadly describe the nature of the advice; and

(iii) where any such matter was not referred to the Council by the LEA, give the Council's reasons for offering advice on the matter.

A copy of each report published by the Council shall be sent to the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales, schools and teacher training institutions.

(e) The representative groups, other than that consisting of persons

appointed to represent the LEA, may at any time require a review of any Agreed Syllabus for the time being adopted by the LEA. On receipt by the LEA of written notification of any such requirement it shall be the duty of the LEA to cause a conference to be convened for the purpose of reconsidering the Agreed Syllabus.


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5. VOTING ARRANGEMENTS

On any question to be decided by the Council only the representative groups on the Council shall be entitled to vote, and each group shall have a single vote. Decisions within a group about how the vote is to be cast do not require unanimity. Each group shall regulate its own proceedings, including provision for resolving deadlock. On the question of whether to require a review of the Agreed Syllabus, the representative group concerned shall each have a single vote.

6. MEETINGS

Meetings of the Council and the Agreed Syllabus Conference are to be held in public, except in certain circumstances. Notice is to be given of such meetings and relevant documents, such as agendas and reports, are to be made available to the public.

Meetings were held on: 16th November2015 Baglan Education & Training Centre 2nd March 2016 Baglan Education & Training Centre 15th June 2016 Baglan Education & Training Centre The main items of business on the agenda included: 16th November 2015

1 Present 2 Apologies for absence 3 Minutes of previous meeting held on 15th June 2015 4 Matters arising 5 Non-attendance of SACRE members at meetings 6 Pupil Questionnaire – Primary Feeder Schools 7 RE GCSE Full Course & GCSE Short Course Results for 2015 8 Holocaust Memorial Evening 2016 – ‘Don’t Stand By’ – 3rd Feb 2016 9 Holocaust Memorial Competition 10 AOB 11 Correspondence: Letter from Huw Lewis, Minister for Education &

Skills


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2nd March 2016

1 Present 2 Apologies for absence 3 Minutes of previous meeting held on 16th November 2015 4 Matters Arising 5 Holocaust Memorial Evening Report 6 Presentation for Head of RE Department from Dyffryn/Llangatwg 7 RE for REAL 8 WASACRE Survey: The Welsh Baccalaureate and RE 9 Living with Difference Document - NAPfRE 10 Collective Worship and Religious Observance in Schools 11 Correspondence 12 AOB

15th June 2016

1 Present 2 Apologies for absence 3 Minutes of meeting held on 2nd March 2016 4 Matters arising 5 Representation from Jewish Congregation 6 Feedback from Meeting with WJEC on 15th April 2016 7 Welsh Baccalaureate Survey 8 Letter to NPT Schools Re: INCERTS 9 Inspection of Schools / Reference to RE & SMSC 10 Minutes of NAPfRE & WASACRE Meetings March 2016 11 Nominations for WASACRE Executive Committee 12 Election of a Chair 13 Secondary Head of Department Presentation

The minutes of the meeting of the Council shall be reported to the Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning Board. 7. SACRE DEVELOPMENT PLAN SACRE adopted a development plan as a basis for its activities. SACRE also scrutinised the Plan to assess progress. (Appendix B) 8. CIRCULATION OF REPORT A list of organisations receiving the report can be found in Appendix C


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B. ADVICE ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Challenge Adviser’s Report 1. Standards in RE

Estyn inspections have now changed & no subjects are reported on. The structure of the inspection report is based on two overall summary judgements, three key questions & 10 quality indicators. Within NPT, Challenge Advisers and Teacher Development Officers have been engaged in Spring and Summer Term Work Scrutiny visit to all schools and reports based on these visits have been delivered to SACRE. The major concern was the lack of RE evidence in many books.

To aid SACRE in their monitoring of RE the SACRE decided to invite on a rolling programme the Head of Department for RE, from each secondary school. The HOD presented a report on standards of RE at their school, the departmental development plan and transition arrangements/training offered to primary feeders.

2 (a) Primary Sector: During this academic year support has been given in a range of topic areas.

Advice prior to inspection on Schemes of Work and policy documents

Assistance in developing Scheme of Work/Curriculum Maps

Teaching Techniques

Collective worship, planning and implementation

Review of RE 2 (b) Secondary Sector:

HOD have been invited to address SACRE on standards of RE, transition arrangements and support.

Heads of Department have drawn up a questionnaire for feeder primary schools and this was presented to SACRE.

Changes in the delivery of GCSE in 2017. SACRE discussed concerns over the slow process and lack of CPD/resources. Challenge Adviser met with WJEC officials to put forward concerns.


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C. EXAMINATION RESULTS GCSE Short Course Religious Studies

Percentage of entries at each grade 2014

Entries A* A B C D E F G U LEA 450 4 10 19 24 13 17 7 5 2

WALES 18120

A* - A A* - C A* - G

LEA 13 56 98

WALES 17.4 55.9 96.2

2015

Entries A* A B C D E F G U

LEA 434 4 14 17 19 15 15 9 6 1

WALES 17789

* Short Course data not currently published by WAG

A* - A A* - C A* - G

LEA 18 54 99

WALES 18.7 57.8 96

* 2016 Provisional


WALES* 18206

A* - A A* - C A* - G

LEA 16.1 65.1 97.4

WALES* 15.2 50.5 94.0


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GCSE full course Religious Studies Percentage of entries at each grade

2014

Entries A* A B C D E F G U LEA 553 10 22 25 10 4 3 1 1

WALES

A* - A A* - C A* - G

LEA 33 81 99

WALES

2015


WALES 10409

A* - A A* - C A* - G LEA 40 77 99

WALES 35 75 98

* 2016 Provisional


WALES* 12084

A* - A A* - C A* - G

LEA 20.7 60.8 94.5

WALES* 26.4 68.0 97.1


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GCE A Level Religious Studies Schools only

Percentage of entries at each grade

2014

Entries A B C D E U

LEA 16 6 25 31 31 0 6 0

WALES 1742

A A - C A – E

LEA 6 63 94

WALES 17 98

2015

Entries A B C D E U

LEA 13 31 23 15 15 15 0 8

WALES 1795

A A - C A – E LEA 31 69 100

WALES 20 99

* 2016 Provisional

Entries A B C D E U

LEA 18 11 28 33 17 11

WALES*

A A - C A – E LEA 11.1 39.4 100

WALES* 18.6 98.2


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D. ADVICE ON COLLECTIVE WORSHIP The majority of ESTYN reports stated that Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural is very good in schools. Shortcomings refer to lack of time for reflection.

E. OTHER ISSUES WASACRE - The NPT SACRE has continued to affiliate to the WASACRE and representatives have attended its meeting during the 2015-2016 academic year. Issues considered at the WASACRE meetings have been fully reported back to the SACRE.

Holocaust Memorial Evening 2016 – ‘Don’t Stand By’ Last year’s theme was reflective, looking back on over the 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. This year the theme ‘Don’t Stand By’ was forward looking with a clear call to action and considering our individual responsibilities not to be bystanders to hate crime and prejudice, nor to international threats of genocide. The message was clear that we must ensure that the Holocaust Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides are not forgotten, trivialised or denied. This year the NPT Holocaust Memorial Evening took place at the Princess Royal Theatre on 3rd February 2016. The theatre was once again full to capacity with pupils from across NPT, parents, governors, councillors and invited guests. Pupils performed drama, song and dance based on the theme ‘Don’t Stand By’.


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APPENDIX A

STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

MEMBERSHIP YEAR 2015/2016 LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY - 7 MEMBERS ELECTED MEMBERS (i) County Borough Councillor J. Dudley (Chair) (ii) County Borough Councillor M. L. James (iii) County Borough Councillor P. A. Rees (iv) County Borough Councillor D. W. Davies (v) County Borough Councillor H. N. James (vi) County Borough Councillor K. Pearson (vii) County Borough Councillor H. G. Rawlings

OFFICERS (i) Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning or his

representative (ii) Mrs J. Malcolm, Challenge Adviser

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS - 6 MEMBERS (a) The Church in Wales - 2 Members (i) Rev. Elaine Jenkyns, 66 Dinas Baglan Road, Port Talbot, SA12 8AF (ii) Rev. Tim Hewitt, The Vicarge, Glan Yr Afon Road, Ystalyfera, SA9 2EP (b) Free Church Council of Wales - 2 Members (i) Reverend P. L. Harris, 37 Penywern Road, Neath. (ii) Vacant


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(c) Roman Catholic Church - 2 Members (i) Mr Eugene Scourfield, St. Joseph’s RC Comprehensive & 6th Form School

Newton Avenue, Port Talbot, SA12 6EY

(ii) Vacant TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS - 6 MEMBERS (i) ATL Vacant (ii) NAHT Mr. Gwilym Jones, Chair of LLAN

50-52 Heol Giedd, Cwmgiedd, Ystradgynlais, SA9 1LP (iii) NASUWT Ms Fiona Thomas, Dwr Y Felin Comprehensive School

Dwr Y Felin Road, Neath, SA10 7RE (iv) NUT Mrs Suzy Jones, Coedffranc Primary, Skewen, SA10 6LP (v) SHA Vacant (vi) UCAC Mrs Rachel Samuel, YGG Ystalyfera, Glan Yr Afon,

Ystalyfera, SA9 2JJ CO-OPTED MEMBERS - 3 MEMBERS (i) Mrs. F. Patel, Llysmeddyg Surgery, Dew Road, Port Talbot, SA12 7HE. (ii) Mr. A. Threlfall, 4 Gelligeiros, Gellinudd, Pontardawe SA8 3DZ (iii) Mr. S. Rahman, 12 Mansel Street, Port Talbot, SA13 1BH


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APPENDIX B

NEATH PORT TALBOT DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2015 – 2016

Target Timetable Actions

1. Analyse examination entries and results for Religious Education.

Autumn 2016 Consider report

2. SACRE working party to look at:

Holocaust Memorial Evening;

September 2016

Holocaust Memorial Evening to be arranged for February 2017

3. Link with Minority Ethnic Achievement Service

On-going Support for RE in schools.

4. To monitor delivery of R.E. in our Primary schools

Spring Term Following Work Scrutiny Challenge Adviser to action monitoring and report to SACRE

5. To consider cluster training of Primary teachers in R.E.

On-going Challenge Adviser to meet LLAN and NAASH to discuss utilising Heads of Department in Secondary and Cluster training days to offer training to Primary staff.


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Appendix C Circulation of Report All members of SACRE All Welsh SACRE’s WASACRE Religious Studies Resource Centre, Trinity College, Carmarthen Qualifications Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) The National Library of Wales Headteachers and Governing Bodies of all Schools in Neath Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot Education Department

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