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STANDING ADVISORY

COUNCIL ON

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ANNUAL REPORT 2007/2008 2

Contents Page

Letter from Vice Chair of SACRE Table of Contents ………………………………………………………….……... ……. 1

1. BACKGROUND

a) Composition of SACRE …………………………………………………..... 2 b) Functions of SACRE ……………………………………………………..... 2 c) Meetings of SACRE ………………………………………………………. … 2 d) SACRE Development Plans ……………………………………………...... 3 e) Circulation of the Report …………………………………………………… 3

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ………………………………………………………… 4

a) Religious Education ... …………..………………………………………..... 4 b) Collective Worship . …..…………………………………………………..... 4 c) Local Issues ……… ………………………………………………………. … 4 d) National Issues …………….. ……………………………………………...... 5

3. ADVICE TO THE LEA – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

a) The Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education ………………… 6 b) Standards in Religious Education ………………………………………… 7 c) Methods of Teaching, the choice of Teaching Materials and Teacher Training ……………………………………………….……….. 7

4. ADVICE TO THE LEA – COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

a) Monitoring and Advice on Collective Worship………. …………………. 9 b) Determinations…... ……………………………………………………….. …. 9

5. ADVICE TO THE LEA ON OTHER ISSUES

a) Local Issues ……………………………………………………………………. 10 b) National Issues ………………………………………………………………… 11 c) Complaints …………………………………………………………….……….. 12

ANNEXES

A. General information regarding the composition of the Powys SACRE B. SACRE meetings held during the 2007/2008 academic year C. List of organisations to which the SACRE report has been sent D. Evidence E. 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 SACRE Action Plans 3 1. BACKGROUND

All Local Education Authorities are required to constitute a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education within their local area. All SACREs are required by the 1996 Education Act to produce an annual report, a copy of which must be sent to the Welsh Assembly Government Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS). This report has been prepared by the Powys SACRE in accordance with the guidance issued by the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC), the predecessor of DCELLS, and, in accordance with the established practice of the Powys SACRE, this report relates to the period 1 September, 2007, to 31 August, 2008. a) Composition of SACRE

The following representation is required on the Powys SACRE:-

 such Christian and other religious denominations as, in the opinion of the LEA, will appropriately reflect the principal religious traditions in the area;  Associations representing teachers;  the Local Education Authority.

In addition, the SACRE is free to co-opt additional members on to the SACRE but these members are non-voting.

The membership of the Powys SACRE is attached as Annexe A to this annual report. b) The Functions of SACRE

 to advise the LEA on Collective Worship and the Religious Education to be provided in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus, including methods of teaching, advice on teaching materials and the provision of training for teachers;  to consider whether to recommend to the LEA that it’s current Agreed Syllabus should be reviewed by convening an Agreed Syllabus Conference;  to consider whether the requirement that Religious Worship in a community school should be ‘broadly Christian in nature’ should be varied (determinations);  to report to the LEA and DCELLS on its activities on an annual basis. c) Meetings of SACRE

During the 2006/2007 academic year, the Powys SACRE has met on the following occasions:-

Monday, 19 November, 2007 Wednesday, 19 March, 2008 Wednesday, 9 July, 2008

All meetings were held in the Llandrindod Wells area in a number of local venues, and details of the issues discussed in the above meetings are included in Annexe B. 4 d) SACRE Development Plans

The Powys SACRE adopts annual development plans in order to co-ordinate its activities and the development plans for 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 are attached as Annexe E to this report. e) Circulation of the Report

Details of the circulation of this report are included in Annexe C. 5 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A brief summary of the advice that Powys SACRE has given to the LEA is as follows:- a) Religious Education

i) Locally Agreed Syllabus

 Advice that the Powys Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education required review in 2007 and, following that review, advice that the 2002 Agreed Syllabus be re-adopted for a period of 5 years with effect from 2007;  advice regarding the implementation of the Powys Agreed Syllabus via a SACRE/LEA Model Scheme of Work.

ii) Standards in Religious Education

 Advice in relation to aspects of good practice and areas of concern in respect of Religious Education arising from recent inspection reports of Powys schools;  advice in respect of examination results.

iii) Methods of Teaching, choice of Teaching Materials and Teacher Training

 Advice in relation to the sharing of good practice in respect of implementing and using new methodologies in the teaching of RE;  advice in relation to the use and application of the ACCAC Optional Assessment Materials and their integration into the Powys Model RE Scheme of Work;  advice in relation to the Self-Evaluation of Religious Education by schools;  advice in relation to training opportunities;  advice in relation to available resources. b) Collective Worship

i) Monitoring and Advice

 Advice in relation to the development of Powys resources to support the implementation of statutory Collective Worship;  Advice in relation to the availability of resources on external websites. c) Local Issues

 Advice in relation to the availability of potential governor training opportunities in relation to Collective Worship and Religious Education;  advice that governors should receive reports, on an annual basis, from headteachers, on the Collective Worship delivered in schools;  advice that a number of members of SACRE would be prepared to visit schools in order to observe Collective Worship and discuss Religious Education with the RE Co-ordinator;  advice in relation to training opportunities for SACRE members. 6 d) National Issues

 Advice providing an update on the reasons for the termination of the O4 Project;  advice in relation to the activities of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE);  advice in relation to the Powys SACRE’s involvement with Religious Education Movement Wales (REMW). 7 3. ADVICE TO THE LEA – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The Powys SACRE advises the LEA via three avenues:-

County Level, School Level and RE Co-ordinator Level.

A Powys SACRE Development Plan has been agreed, guides the work and lists the following priorities:-

Priority 1 – to monitor standards in Religious Education and Religious Studies in order to raise standards;

Priority 2 – to provide support for Religious Education;

Priority 3 – to give guidance and support for the implementation of Collective Worship;

Priority 4 – to provide support for governors and SACRE members. a) Locally Agreed Syllabus

The Powys Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, issued in 2002, was reviewed by the Authority’s Agreed Syllabus Conference in 2007 when it was noted that the Welsh Assembly Government was in the process of finalising a national exemplar framework on Religious Education for 3-19 year olds in Wales. In the light of this situation, the Agreed Syllabus Conference resolved that the Agreed Syllabus, adopted in 2002, be re-adopted for a further period of 5 years with one minor amendment. This has meant that it was not necessary to undertake work on revising the Powys Agreed Syllabus before the Welsh Assembly Government advice had been received. That advice has now been published and the Authority intends to work with at least 2 neighbouring authorities in the preparation of a draft Revised Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. The Authority is part of a consortium of local education authorities i.e. SWAMWAC (the South West and Mid Wales Consortium) and as part of joint working with other authorities, under the umbrella of SWAMWAC, the Authority’s School Improvement Officer with responsibility for Religious Education will be working with an RE adviser who has responsibility for Religious Education in two of the other SWAMWAC authorities. Once the draft Agreed Syllabus has been prepared, it will be considered by the Agreed Syllabus Conference in accordance with the usual arrangements and it is anticipated that it will be possible to finalise a revised Agreed Syllabus well within the 5 year period before a further review is necessary.

SACRE, through the School Improvement Officer with responsibility for RE, have given guidance to RE co-ordinators on the implementation of the Powys Agreed Syllabus via a SACRE / LEA model Scheme of Work prepared by Mrs Ann Eleri Thomas, RE Co-ordinator, Machynlleth C P School. The exemplar Scheme of Work was created in such a way that small, medium and large primary schools could adapt it to their own needs in order to facilitate its implementation and give a steer towards the standards expected. In order to assist teachers to assess pupil standards, further assessment modules were created, based on the ACCAC Optional Assessment Materials for RE. All schools were offered training in the use of these. 8 b) Standards in Religious Education

Powys SACRE takes its responsibility to monitor standards in Religious Education very seriously.

In each SACRE meeting, SACRE scrutinises the relevant sections of all inspection reports i.e. the section from Key Question 3, relating to Collective Worship, the section on Religious Education if it is inspected, and the recommendations for improvement. In addition, members receive background information in respect of the school together with details of the school’s priorities and targets. It is the SACRE’s practice to contact individual schools by letter following the above consideration of extracts from their inspection reports. In the main, SACRE finds itself congratulating schools on the high standard obtained although, on some occasions, they note shortcomings and then request a copy of the relevant part of the school’s post-inspection action plan. These action plans are shared with SACRE and any comments made by members are fed back to the school. In addition, where weaknesses have been identified in Religious Education, support is also offered via the School Improvement Officer with Responsibility for RE.

The change to the Estyn inspection arrangements which has meant that Religious Education is not inspected in every inspection, gave rise to concerns within the Powys SACRE as members concluded that one of their main opportunities for monitoring standards had been removed. Previously, Religious Education was part of every inspection and this allowed members to consider the findings of those inspections and feed back their views to the schools in question. Now that Religious Education is not inspected on each occasion, requests have been circulated to schools seeking copies of self-evaluation reports in relation to Religious Education when these are undertaken. Although there was no obvious resistance to the provision of copies of self-evaluations, to date, no self- evaluations have been received. If self-evaluation reports do reach SACRE, these will be a helpful addition to the monitoring opportunities in relation to Religious Education.

Examination results are also scrutinised annually and SACRE receives reports on GCE Advanced Level, GCE AS Level and GCSE examination results in Religious Studies and the results of the GCSE (Short Course) examination in Religious Education. Trends are noted, thoroughly discussed and a full report shared with the LEA and all schools. c) Methods of Teaching, Choice of Teaching Materials and Teacher Training

Powys was the first LEA in Wales to establish an Action Research Team under the leadership of Ms Shirley Clarke. A number of Powys schools, primary, secondary and special, formed an Action Research Team which has merged with the Thinking Skills team to form the Powys Learning Team. As a result, the Authority now has a number of schools in all sectors and phases that can be used as ‘Good Practice’ schools in respect of implementing and using new methodologies in the teaching of RE.

At county level, advice concentrating on using and applying the ACCAC Optional Assessment Materials, and planning for their integration into the Powys Model RE Scheme of Work via courses, has been offered to all schools, through the Better Schools Fund (BSF) catalogue. These courses, led by Mrs Ann Eleri Thomas (Machynlleth C P School) were very well received. The courses not only focused on the ACCAC materials but also on how to prepare further assessment modules based on these materials. Mrs Thomas had prepared examples of 9 these and they were shared with attendees. Guidelines were also shared on preparing a school portfolio and on using both formative and summative assessment.

A special section had been created on the LEA web site to support the teaching and learning of RE and it has links to nearly 100 RE sites.

Schools in both primary and secondary phases have taken the opportunity of asking for support for RE in their self-evaluation process. This partnership approach involved:-

 scrutiny of pupils’ work;  matching teaching plans to the scheme of work in order to ensure breadth, balance and progression throughout the school;  lesson observations in order to monitor teaching and learning;  assessment procedures.

In the past, concern has been expressed at the difficulties that have arisen in terms of progression of subjects when pupils transfer from the primary to the secondary phase. The Powys SACRE has sought to foster catchment liaison between secondary heads of Religious Education departments and feeder primary schools in order to facilitate progression of topics studied in RE. Some attempts have already been made to achieve linkages between primary and secondary school teachers in three high school catchment areas but further work is required. In addition, similar liaison is required between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 where separate infant and junior schools are operating in the Authority.

In-Service training, regarding Religious Education, was offered in relation to visiting places of worship other than Christianity in Wales (a synagogue in Swansea and a mosque and gurdwara in Cardiff). Unfortunately, it did not prove possible for these courses to run but it is intended that they will be offered in the future. Similarly, a course was arranged for secondary heads of department providing an update on national and local developments in RE, together with an input from DCELLS, on Assessing for Learning and Religious Education but this course also did not run. For 2008/2009, the Authority is offering training for primary school teachers on Information Communication Technology and Religious Education and for secondary school teachers on Key Stage 3 Portfolios, the Powys Agreed Syllabus in the light of the Skills Framework, the ICT Self-Review Framework and Understanding the Skills Framework and the Impact that this will have on Learning Strategies used in the RE Classroom.

During the Spring of 2008, the Authority received a file of places of worship suitable for an RE visit both within Wales and England. This helpful documentation was compiled by staff at Trinity College, Carmarthen, and has been circulated to all the Authority’s schools as a helpful resource for the teaching of different religions. 10 4. ADVICE TO THE LEA – COLLECTIVE WORSHIP a) Monitoring and Advising on Collective Worship

The Authority had recognised the need to develop ‘Awe and Wonder’ in Collective Worship. A popular course has been developed and delivered by Mr Ian Elliott, Headteacher, Ysgol Penmaes Special School, Brecon, as part of the Authority’s In-Service Training, addressing Awe and Wonder in Religious Education. Materials, prepared by Mr Elliott, to support the implementation of statutory Collective Worship, are available, and, following editing, they will be published electronically in both Welsh and English. A working group will be established, in the near future, in order to undertake the adaptation of the resources to meet the needs of mainstream settings and further training in relation to Awe and Wonder is being offered in 2008/2009.

A special section is maintained on the LEA web site to support Collective Worship and the School Improvement Officer with responsibility for RE is part of the Culham Institute team preparing worship materials for schools.

In the past, SACRE members have offered to join in Collective Worship in schools, via invitation, and both members and schools have found this to be beneficial. Unfortunately, no invitations to attend Collective Worship opportunities were received during 2007/2008. b) Determinations

No requests for exemption from Christian Collective Worship (‘Determinations’) were received from Powys schools during 2007/2008. 11 5. ADVICE TO THE LEA ON OTHER ISSUES a) Local Issues

Advice in relation to the following local issues has been provided during the 2007/2008 school year:-

(i) Governor Training

The Powys SACRE considers that it is important for governor training to be available to schools in relation to Collective Worship and Religious Education. Collective Worship is included in the list of governor training topics available for individual governing bodies to access, in accordance with individual governing body priorities. This allows Collective Worship to be addressed in governor training, on an individual basis, as required, permitting the particular circumstances of individual types of schools, in relation to Collective Worship, to be explored and clarified.

It is the recommendation of the Powys SACRE that governors should receive reports, on an annual basis, from headteachers on the Collective Worship delivered and the Authority’s Governor Training Development Officer has been requested to include reporting back on Collective Worship to individual governing bodies in advice to schools, from the Authority, in relation to governing body activities.

With the Powys Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education being re-adopted for a further period of 5 years, governor training on Religious Education, on an individual governing body basis, remains available, subject to individual governing body priorities. It is likely that more extensive training will be offered once a revised Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education has been prepared through the use of the Welsh Assembly Government National Exemplar Framework for Religious Education for 3 – 19 Year olds in Wales.

(ii) SACRE Members visiting Schools

Following a successful visit of a SACRE member to observe Collective Worship and to discuss Religious Education with the RE Co-ordinator of one of the Authority’s primary schools, a number of members of SACRE have expressed interest in undertaking this activity. If schools would like a member of SACRE to observe Collective Worship and to engage in discussions regarding Religious Education, SACRE members will be pleased to respond to an appropriate invitation.

(iii) Training for SACRE Members

Members have recognised the need for training in order to fulfil their responsibilities in respect of Collective Worship and Religious Education and, during the year, training on the Skills Framework and Religious 12 Education in the Foundation Phase has been provided. Following a helpful presentation on inspection under Section 28 of the School Education Act of 2005, delivered during the 2006/2007 school year, training was planned on the inspection process under Section 50 of the Education Act, 2005, but, unfortunately, this was not possible because of the illness of the trainer. It is intended that this will be carried out when possible in order to clarify, for members, the position in relation to the inspection of Collective Worship and Religious Education in voluntary controlled and voluntary aided schools. Further training is also planned on how the Skills Framework will impact on Religious Education.

In the main, training has been provided by SACRE members, the Authority’s School Improvement Officer with responsibility for Religious Education and other members of the Authority’s School Improvement Team. b) National Issues

(i) O4 Project

During 2005 / 2006, the Powys SACRE had received information on the O4 Project, a project to celebrate the centenary of the 1904 Religious Revival in Wales through the establishment of the Bread of Heaven Exhibition, an exhibition which was intended to tour Wales during 2007/2008. During the year, it became clear that the anticipated funding to support this project via the Heritage Lottery Fund, would not be forthcoming and, therefore, the planned exhibition would not be taking place. SACRE understood that it was the intention of the O4 Project organisers to place the reports and information gleaned through the early stages of the project on the project web site so that another body, in the future, which might wish to undertake a similar project, would be able to benefit from the work undertaken to date.

(ii) Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE)

The Powys SACRE has continued its involvement in the activities of the Wales Association of SACREs (WASACRE) and is regularly represented at meetings of WASACRE. In addition, the Clerk to the Powys SACRE has remained a member of the WASACRE Executive Committee and issues arising through WASACRE are regularly drawn to the attention of SACRE members at their termly meetings. Presentations delivered at meetings of WASACRE are summarised in the pull-out sections of RE News entitled ‘Reflections’ and these are published as extracts. The Authority has maintained its subscription to RE News for a further year and thus copies of RE News are forwarded to all of the Authority’s schools, including the ‘Reflections’ pull-out section. The Powys SACRE has continued to subscribe to WASACRE and supports their activities including regular meetings and special events.

(iii) Religious Education Movement Wales (REMW)

The Authority has continued to pay its subscription to Religious Education Movement Wales (REMW) in order to assist in the provision of RE resources and the Authority is, therefore, able to use part of the 13 subscription to support developments in Religious Education and Collective Worship within the Authority. This is a helpful source of funding to support the developments in Collective Worship and Religious Education. c) Complaints

The Authority’s Complaints Procedure provides a role for SACRE in resolving complaints in relation to Religious Education and Collective Worship. During 2007/2008, no complaints regarding Religious Education or Collective Worship were received by the Authority and, therefore, these procedures were not used.

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