Minutes:
PW talked through the paper and its proposals and committee members discussed the feedback questions in order to make a full written response from Newport SACRE. .
3.65 In keeping with Successful Futures, we propose that RE is retained as a statutory requirement from age 3 and forms part of the Humanities AoLE.
Newport SACRE agree with this proposal
3.66 It is our intention also that RE reflects our historical and contemporary relationship in Wales to philosophy and religious views, including non-religious beliefs. Therefore the current legislation will be amended to ensure the agreed syllabus for RE takes account of non-religious world views which are analogous to religions (e.g. humanism).
PW commented that in the WASACRE meeting it was felt that this needed clarification.. The statement doesn’t make clear how this would affect the wording of current legislation. . RE has to include all worldviews, including non-religious views. During the discussion the term ‘faith’ was referred to. CJ commented that the word ‘faith’, as it is used in some contexts,would be misleading for Humanism, would prefer to see Religion and worldviews. Humanism would like children to know that it is okay for them not to have religious faith but to be able to understand faith.
HT advised that it is really important that the audience reading this statement fully understands it, and not to view any other faith wrongly. PW advised the exact wording and not proposed changes would need to be seen before SACRE could give full feedback to Welsh Government. Cllr. I Hayat expressed the need to be very careful as the wording could end up not making any sense.
Cllr Watkins commented that the proposal here is for 3 – 4 years old, so need to be mindful that a light touch is needed. PW advised that this is progression steps in the curriculum, at this level children might learn, for example at Progression Step 1 they might have learned how to be kind to each other.
Agreed:
SACRE suggests that it is important to consult on the precise wording of this change to legislation. It is important that the audience reading it understand the wording to avoid misconceptions.
SACRE agree it is important that learners gain an understanding of both religious and non-religious worldviews.
3.67 Our approach will recognise the local responsibility of the Agreed Syllabus Conferences, local authorities and the place of the denominational syllabus in Voluntary Aided schools but make a clearer connection with a national approach.
Newport SACRE Agree with this proposal
3.68 We propose to amend the legislation relating to the adoption of an agreed syllabus to ensure that each Agreed Syllabus Conference and local authority must give due regard to a supporting framework to be produced by Welsh Government. This document will be developed with expert practitioners and key partners such as the Wales Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (SACREs) and the National Advisory Panel for Religious Education and will clarify and further develop aspects relating to RE outlined in the statutory guidance to be produced for the Humanities AoLE. There will be regular consultation with SACRE members and key stakeholders throughout the development period.
Newport SACRE Agree with this proposal
3.69 Voluntary Aided schools with a religious character will continue to deliver their denominational RE and guidance will be developed by the relevant authorities to make the links with the Humanities AoLE.
Newport SACRE Agree with this proposal
3.70 There is currently an exemption from RE for registered pupils in school nursery classes. It is proposed that the exemption be repealed to ensure parity for all subjects / components of the AoLEs. We believe learners of all ages can benefit from knowledge of the broad spectrum of religious, philosophical and cultural traditions held by people in Wales. Those Funded Nursery Settings will also have to deliver the new curriculum for Wales, this will include the Humanities AoLE and they will be expected to give regard to the content of the statutory guidance document, as well as their locally agreed syllabus.
Newport SACRE Agree with this proposal
3.71 We propose to legislate to amend the current provisions regarding the description of an Agreed Syllabus as well as membership of Committee A of Agreed Syllabus Conferences and Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs) to encompass non-religious views that are analogous to religious views. This is to clarify the current legislation and take account of the effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 which means that references to religious views should be read as also encompassing non-religious views that are analogous to religious views. We have already written to Local Authority’s Directors of Education setting out the action they need to take in response.
Newport SACRE Agree with this proposal.
3.72 The following provision included in Schedule 19 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 will also be retained:
“No agreed syllabus shall provide for religious education to be given to pupils at a school to which this paragraph applies by means of any catechism or formulary which is distinctive of a particular religious denomination (but this is not to be taken as prohibiting provision in such a syllabus for the study of such catechisms or formularies).”
SACRE agrees with this proposal, but request that the wording of the legislation is simplified.
3.73 At present all learners in school sixth forms must study Religious Education. In future, it is proposed that learners will have an entitlement to receive learning and schools must provide it if it is requested – it will be optional. It is important to note schools will not be prevented by the legislation to continue to provide Religious Education to sixth formers. However, there will be no legal obligations for sixth formers to attend if they do not wish to do so. Guidance will be made available for schools to support this new approach.
Cllr Watkins commented that sixth formers are under huge pressures such as planning life going forward. To continue with compulsory Re at sixth form is an additional pressure and the question of whether it could be delivered in a different way was raisedSACRE members discussed whether it could be part of an induction,discussion groups or . seminars. CJ suggested that if RE in soth form continues it needs to be relevant and more creative. PW advised that some schools in Wales are not teaching statutory RE and that if it were to continue this would need to be monitored.
Agreed:
Newport SACRE are of the opinion, given the rise of prejudice and discrimination against people based on race or religion and belief within society, that it is more important than ever to retain statutory RE at all ages including in sixth forms. If this entitlement is withdrawn Welsh Government will be removing something that is very important, e.g. the opportunity for learners to develop empathy for people of faith or belief.
The delivery of statutory RE at sixth form could be presented in an imaginative way, e.g. during induction or drop-down days.
SACRE suggests that RE should also be statutory for learners in sixth form colleges to ensure equality of opportunity.
SACRE members are aware that sixth form students are under huge pressure, but that it is important that the learning experience goes beyond examination specifications and is a preparation for life.
Guidance should be provided for schools in managing either the current law or how to manage the optional RE should the law change.
3.74 There is currently a right for parents to withdraw their children from RE. There is a need to determine the appropriate arrangements for this and the similar right to withdraw from sex education in the current system. This is discussed below.
The Right to Withdraw from Religious Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education
There should not be a link in this consultation between RE and Sex Education in the consultation as they are separate issues.
· 11. Should the right to withdraw from RE and RSE be retained?
Newport SACRE are of the opinion that the right to withdraw be removed. The right to withdraw should be unnecessary if high quality Religious Education is being delivered. Training should be given to staff at all levels so that conflict in schools is avoided.
SACRE members are aware that there are limited withdrawals within Newport and within Wales however, one of the reasons parents withdraw their children from RE is on grounds of conscience, religion and belief. SACRE would not like to see situations where learners are losing out on education if they are then home schooled because the right to withdraw is removed. SACRE suggest that there is a need for headteachers and relevant staff to receive training that will limit this.
If the right to withdraw is retained, then SACRE suggest that a more stringent process of withdrawal be put in place. For example, withdrawals might be considered on a case by case basis to ensure that opting out is an informed, committed choice and not an easy option.
· 12. If the right to withdraw is to be retained, should it remain with the parent (parent includes those with parental responsibility or those who have care of the child)?
If the right to withdraw is retained and learners have that option schools could potentially see more withdrawals. SACRE suggests that the right remain with the parent but that the rights of the child be respected, and their views also considered, so that learners are not withdrawn from RE against their will.
· 13. If the right to withdraw is removed, what alternative, if any, should be in its place?
Newport SACRE suggest that there should be significant training relating to religious education for schools as the New Curriculum is rolled out. This necessity would increase should the right to withdraw be removed as the RE delivered should be objective, critical and pluralistic. There should be an advisory service within the local authority and a dedicated, specialist advisory teacher specifically for Religious Education. This needs to be funded appropriately.
Agreed:
PW to send draft response to White Paper to Welsh Government.