Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education

Transcription

1 Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education The Annual Report of the Pembrokeshire Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education

2 Letter from the Chairman of SACRE I am pleased to introduce the Annual Report of Pembrokeshire SACRE for the academic year It has been a privilege to Chair SACRE during the course of the year and also to represent Pembrokeshire on WASACRE. The support and guidance of the Director for Children and Schools, Mr Jake Morgan, is greatly appreciated as is the professional support offered by Mrs Yvonne Jones. We also value the willing cooperation of all Officers. We recognise the commitment of SACRE Members and the support given by members of various denominations on a voluntary basis. I look forward to continuing this strong level of commitment during the course of the coming year. Cllr. Rev. Huw George Chair SACRE

3 Information about SACRE Duty to establish SACRE All Local Authorities are required to constitute a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education within their local area. Composition of SACRE Representation on SACRE is required as follows: such Christian and other religious denominations as, in the opinion of the Local Authority, will appropriately reflect the religious traditions in the area associations representing teachers the Local Authority It is the duty of the Local Authority to ensure that members of the groups are appointed and that they are representative. Members of SACRE Religious Denominations : Union of Welsh Independents: Mr E Philips Roman Catholic: Vacant Methodist: Vacant Church in Wales: Vacant Baptist: Rev G Rogers Congregational: Rev C Gillham On behalf of the Diocese of St Davids: Mrs Margery Brown, Head of St Oswalds School Local Authority Representatives : Councillor Pat Davies Councillor H M George Councillor E A Morse Councillor S T Hudson Councillor D W M Rees Councillor D R Sinnett Councillor D G M James Councillor J L Adams 4

4 Local Authority Representatives (continued): Associate Adviser: Officer: Mrs Yvonne Jones Kate Evan-Hughes, Head of Education Teacher Associations: UCAC Miss Glenys George NAS/UWT Mr Martyn Williams NUT Mr Andrew Kennedy NAHT Mrs Jan Llewellyn Functions of SACRE l To advise the Local Authority on Worship and the religious education to be given in accordance with the agreed syllabus, including methods of teaching, advice on materials and the provision of training for teachers. l To consider whether to recommend to the Local Authority that its current agreed syllabus should be reviewed by convening an Agreed Syllabus Conference. l To consider applications from schools for determinations (to be exempt from the requirement that worship be Christian ) l To report to the Local Authority and Welsh Government on its activities on an annual basis. 5

5 Meetings of SACRE Meetings were held on the following dates:- 23rd April th July 2013 The main matters considered in each meeting included the following:- Meeting held on 23rd April 2013 l Annual Report l Matters relating to WASACRE l Annual Lecture l Report of Adviser Meeting held on 4th July 2013 l Matters relating to WASACRE l Report of Adviser l Annual Report 6

6 R.E. WORKING GROUPS PRIMARY R.E. ASSOCIATE ADVISOR REPORT Pembrokeshire Primary SACRE Working Group In the last Annual SACRE report 2013 it was reported that work had begun to produce a comprehensive scheme of work for Key Stage 2. This work was completed during the Summer term All the materials and resources produced have been posted on the Pembrokeshire E-portal and have been well received by schools. There are 4 blocks of work which could be used as straight Yrs 3 6, or in a rolling programme for Juniors or by slight adaption a whole school theme (Bearing in mind that the Yrs 5 & 6 themes have more complex themes than Year 3 & 4). Year 3/4 Year 3/4 Our World/Creation (approx. 18 lessons) Religious Communities (approx 15 lessons) Worship and Celebration (approx.8 lessons) Dress (approx. 8 lessons) Easter Christmas (approx. 5) Year 5/6 Year 5/6 Food (approx 12 lessons) Leaders and Texts (approx 12 lessons) Religious Communities other faiths Pilgrimage (approx 12 lessons) Fast and Festival (approx 12 lessons) Afterlife (approx 10 lessons) Next steps In line with the current focus on the Literacy and Numeracy Framework (L.N.F.) the small focussed group of R.E. enthusiasts consisting of Helen Brandrick, Haverfordwest JM VC (Tasker Milward), Lisa Cook, Saundersfoot (Tenby) and Yvonne Jones, Neyland (STP) have since been further developing these units of work to include rich pieces of literacy to support teachers with their planning. Examples of this work from the topic Pilgrimage were shared with members of Pembrokeshire SACRE on 28th November. This work is ongoing. 7

7 Foundation Phase Yvonne has also been working closely with Sally Abadioru (Foundation Phase Advisory teacher) to develop planning support materials for the Foundation Phase. The aim of this is to ensure that religious education remains an important focus within the Foundation Phase curriculum. Yvonne has also shared some exciting new resources gathered from the Farmington Institute Conference which she attended in June Resources Mary Parry (R.E. Advisor, Carmarthen) kindly donated packs of her R.E. Big Books to Pembrokeshire Schools. These were distributed during the January 2014 Headteachers meeting. Courses / Training Due to the change in CPD there were no R.E. courses ran again at a County Level this year Secondary INSET Resource pressures experienced by secondary schools resulted in difficulty in achieving viable numbers on several of the courses planned during the year and these have been postponed until a later date. Pembrokeshire SACRE Annual Lecture 2013 This article focuses on Islam, however, there will be future opportunities to highlight other belief systems. "Understanding Islam" A meeting entitled Understanding Islam was organised by SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) and took place in County Hall on 4th July Information about the Islamic faith was delivered by members of our Islamic community including the Imam Mr A Wahid, the Mosque Chairman Mr A Mannan and Mr M Hussein, one of Mr Mannan's sons. The aim was to provide an overview about the Islamic faith with an explanation about the Five Pillars of Worship in Islam and Islam's Five pillars of faith. 8

8 The Five Pillars of Worship in Islam In the Islamic faith, Muslims are expected to fulfill five fundamental acts of worship. The Five Pillars of Worship (arkan al-`ibada) are the basic acts involved in being a believing and practicing Muslim, but each Pillar is also a gateway to deeper understanding and greater spirituality as one grows in the Islamic faith. Shahada Salat Zakat Saum Hajj A person becomes a Muslim by making the basic statement of testimony or witness. "I testify that there is no God but God, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Variations of the shahada are used in many different situations. Salat is a formal, ritualized prayer performed at five specified times each day facing Mecca. Salat consists of a sequence of recitations and bodily positions, including prostration with one's forehead touching the ground. Zakat is an obligatory charitable contribution, theoretically due annually from every Muslim at the rate of 2.5 percent of liquid assets and income-producing property. Zakat supports charitable works and the promotion of Islam. Fast from dawn to dusk each day during the ninth month (Ramadan), Muslims are not supposed to eat, drink, or engage in sexual intercourse. This is a time of spiritual renewal. At least once in his or her life, if physically and financially able, each Muslim makes the pilgrimage to Mecca during the twelfth Muslim month. During the five main days of the hajj, those on the pilgrimage duplicate the ritual first performed by Abraham, including circling the sacred shrine (Ka`ba), standing on the plain of `Arafat, and offering a sacrifice. The Five Pillars of Faith in Islam In Islam, the Five Pillars of Faith provide a brief summary of basic Muslim beliefs. Within this table you will notice similarities between the Islamic faith and the Christian belief systems. Belief in God (Allah) as the only god. Belief in the angels of God, such as Gabriel. Belief in the book of God and in the messengers and prophets who revealed this book. (These are sometimes listed as two separate Pillars, creating Six Pillars of Faith.) The book is an eternal heavenly book that was partly revealed in the Jewish and Christian Bibles and is fully revealed in the Qur'an. God sent his prophets and messengers to reveal his word and to warn people what would happen if they didn't return to the path of God. Muhammad is the final prophet in a series that began with Adam and includes Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jesus, among others. 9

9 Belief in the Day of Judgment and Resurrection at the end of time, when all will be raised from the dead, judged according to their faith and deeds, and sent to the gardens of paradise or to the fires of hell. Belief that God is responsible for everything that happens, both good and evil, because everything happens according to the will of God. The individual, however, is still responsible for his or her own moral and immoral actions. Further explanation was provided about the 5 life steps in the Islamic faith: Allah created all the souls of the descendants of Adam and Hava (Adam and Eve) who were predestined to come to this earth, Life in the mother's womb, Life in this world, Death, and Resurrection on the judgement day. Other steps sometimes mentioned relate to Heaven and Hell. The meeting was informed that the period of fasting "Ramadan" will begin on 9th July At the time this is published we will be in the early days of Ramadan and some information is provided below will give context to this important part of the Islamic faith. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims in the United Kingdom. The first verses of the Koran (Qu'ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (also written as Mohammad or Muhammed) during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period. Muslims have been fasting throughout it for more than 14 centuries. It is a reflective time for the Islamic community and charitable donations from the Islamic community during this time are much greater than at any other time. If you would like to investigate this in more detail the following link may help. The meeting allowed time for people to ask questions within this free and relaxed atmosphere. The question was raised about jihad which in the media presents an image of violence, discord and fighting. However, Mr Mannan explained that the original meaning of jihad means much more. 10

10 Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of struggle: A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible The struggle to build a good Muslim society Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary Many modern writers claim that the main meaning of Jihad is the internal spiritual struggle, and this is accepted by many Muslims. However, there are so many references to Jihad as a military struggle in Islamic writings that it is incorrect to claim that the interpretation of Jihad as holy war is wrong. Jihad and the Prophet The internal Jihad is the one that Prophet Muhammad is said to have called the greater Jihad. A further question was raised about the segregation of women in the mosque. explanation offered was that it is to avoid man becoming distracted. The Discussion also looked at why pork is not eaten within the Islamic community. The initial reply was that pork is unclean, however, Mr Mannan did make the statement that should you be "in the desert and starving and the only food available is pork then it would be acceptable to eat this in order to stay alive". The meeting was a great way to raise awareness about the Islamic faith and Mr Mannan extends his invitation to anyone who would be interested in attending Friday prayers. Recorded by Steve Butler Photo caption: From left to right - Mr Martyn Williams (Vice-chair for SACRE Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education), Mr M Hussein (one of Mr Mannan's sons), Mr A Wahid (Imam), Mr A Mannan (leading member of our Islamic community and Mosque Chairman) and Cllr H George (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Spokesperson for Environmental and Regulatory Services and the Welsh Language. 11

11 Estyn inspections in Pembrokeshire secondary schools Since September 2010, Estyn-led inspections in schools have been phased in to ensure that schools are more confident about inspection findings. There are three key questions and ten quality indicators that will be judged. These will focus in particular on learner outcomes but also the quality of provision and leadership and management. The main judgements in the report are: l an overall judgement on current performance of the school; and l an overall judgment on the school s prospects for improvement. But there are also judgements on quality indicators i.e. l outcomes the standards achieved by pupils and their wellbeing; l provision learning experiences, teaching, care, support and guidance, and the learning environment; l leadership leadership, improving quality, partnership working and resource management. All judgements are being based on a four-point scale: l Excellent: many strengths, including significant examples of sector-leading practice; l Good: many strengths and no important areas requiring significant improvement; l Adequate: strengths outweigh areas for improvement; and l Unsatisfactory: important areas for improvement outweigh strengths Two secondary schools have been inspected since the previous Annual Report - Tasker Milward School in March 2013 and Ysgol Dewi Sant in May In both schools there were no specific comments on the quality of RE teaching or standards in the subject. The reports state, learning experiences effectively promote learners spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The school promotes effectively the pupils spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The Chairman of SACRE and the local authority have resolved to take steps to encourage greater involvement and interest in RE by secondary schools in the future. LIST OF ORGANISTATIONS TO WHICH THE REPORT HAS BEEN SENT: l Welsh Government l All Schools and Colleges in the Local Education Authority l The National Library of Wales l Welsh National Centre for Religious Education l All Local Education Authorities in Wales l Diocese of St. David s l Diocese of Menevia Schools Commission l University of Wales Trinity Saint David l Free Church Federal Council 12

12 Pembrokeshire Schools GCSE RESULTS 2013 Religious Studies SCHOOLS A* A B C D E F G U Ysgol Bro Gwaun (sc) Total Number Cumulative % 4% 15% 31% 51% 70% 81% 92% 98% 100% Ysgol Dewi Sant Total Number Cumulative % 28% 45% 66% 81% 92% 98% 98% 100% 100% Ysgol Dewi Sant (sc) Total number Cumulative % 9% 27% 43% 66% 78% 96% 100% 100% 100% Greenhill School Total number Cumulative % 24% 63% 82% 98% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Greenhill School (SC) Total number Cumulative % 2% 11% 24% 49% 69% 81% 87% 91% 100% Ysgol y Preseli Total number Cumulative % 2% 16% 47% 76% 94% 100% 100% 100% 100% Total number Ysgol y Preseli (SC) Cumulative % 3% 8% 16% 33% 55% 79% 89% 96% 100% Pembroke School Total number Cumulative % 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Total number Pembroke School (SC) Cumulative % 33% 50% 75% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Tasker Milward V.C. School Total number Cumulative % 0% 9% 18% 45% 45% 55% 55% 73% 100% Tasker Milward V.C. School (SC) Total number Cumulative % 4% 14% 34% 53% 62% 75% 86% 96% 100% Sir Thomas Picton School Total number Cumulative % 18% 40% 67% 92% 99% 99% 99% 100% 100% Sir Thomas Picton School (SC) Total number Cumulative % 4% 18% 28% 49% 65% 83% 92% 97% 100% Milford Haven School Total number Cumulative % 10% 20% 35% 50% 70% 100% 100% 100% 100% Milford Haven School (SC) Total number Cumulative % 1% 4% 7% 30% 51% 70% 91% 97% 100% PEMBROKESHIRE Total number Cumulative % 16% 36% 60% 83% 93% 98% 98% 99% 100% PEMBROKESHIRE Total number SHORT COURSE Cumulative % 4% 13% 25% 46% 63% 79% 90% 96% 100% (SC) = GCSE short course 13

13 Pembrokeshire Schools A LEVEL RESULTS 2013 Religious Studies SCHOOLS A* A B C D E N Ysgol Bro Gwaun Total Number Cumulative % 13% 63% 75% 75% 75% 88% 100% Ysgol Dewi Sant The Greenhill School Ysgol y Preseli Pembroke School Tasker Milward V.C. School Sir Thomas Picton School Milford Haven School PEMBROKESHIRE Total Number Cumulative % 0% 0% 19% 38% 63% 94% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 0% 20% 100% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 0% 14% 57% 93% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 33% 60% 93% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 25% 33% 67% 92% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 1% 19% 37% 68% 87% 97% 100% Pembrokeshire Schools AS LEVEL RESULTS 2013 Religious Studies SCHOOLS A B C D E N Ysgol Bro Gwaun Total Number Cumulative % 0% 38% 75% 100% 100% 100% Ysgol Dewi Sant The Greenhill School Ysgol y Preseli Pembroke School Tasker Milward V.C. School Sir Thomas Picton School Milford Haven School PEMBROKESHIRE Total Number Cumulative % 13% 40% 60% 77% 90% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 29% 71% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 17% 42% 58% 83% 83% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 36% 64% 64% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 25% 38% 79% 100% 100% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 0% 8% 50% 58% 67% 100% Total Number Cumulative % 15% 38% 65% 87% 91% 100% 14