Consultation on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill
Evidence submitted to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.
Carmen Beveridge
Headteacher, -
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Partly
1.2 Please outline your reasons for your answer to question 1.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1500 words)
On the positive the new curriculum provides a broad, balanced and progressive curriculum. It enables the curriculum to be purposeful and allows practitioners greater autonomy to create a curriculum suitable to the needs of their pupils and their communities.
However it fails to recognise the professionalism of staff in Catholic schools and doesn't consider the particular context of the Catholic community our schools serve.
I disagree with change of name to RVE. Our RE curriculum contributes to values and ethics across the whole school.
Catholic schools shouldn't have to deliver another RE syllabus as our curriculum already covers world religions, philosophy, ethic and values/virtues
We already meet the legal requirements and how it is taught is balanced. The WG appears not to trust us deliver these elements within our existing RE curriculum.
A second syllabus would be a burden to catholic schools by means of workload and cost.
Catholic schools appear to be treated differently and this can be seen as discrimination. It can discriminate against parents who have chosen a Catholic school for the RE the school delivers.
Requiring Catholic schools to produce a second syllabus is in breach of our Trust Deeds.
The removal of the right to withdraw I oppose this as it takes parental rights away. It breakdown dialogue with parents that has always existed between RE/RSE.
1.3 Do you think there is a need for legislation to deliver what this Bill is trying to achieve?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
In our current RE curriculum what already exists in law is fair and balanced, so doesn't require changing.
The new Bill places an additional burden on Catholic schools to provide a second syllabus. This is an unrealistic burden on Catholic schools
Our Trust Deeds, current legislation recognises our Catholic faith and its principles within Re & RSE. The new Bill doesn't comply with the Church's doctrine eg marriage /families
2. The Bill’s implementation
2.1 Do you have any comments about any potential barriers to implementing the Bill? If no, go to question 3.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
Barriers include:
The Bill highlight the loss of trust and lack of dialogue between the WG and Catholic schools.
The work and strain producing another syllabus will have on staff.
More time is needed for engagement is needed as a school we lost 3 Inset days due to the Covid lockdown. At the moment it is difficult to collaborate and engage with Professional Development Schools this term are at an operational capacity, with a focus on wellbeing and catch-up.
Workload issues in general- the implementation of a new curriculum is challenging during normal circumstances, let alone trying to deliver it through a pandemic.
2.2 Do you think the Bill takes account of these potential barriers?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
No the Bill hasn't taken account of these potential barriers as the timeframe for implementation hasn't been altered or adjusted due to Covid.
WG have not published guidance for RE/RSE/REV.
The REV was presented to the Senedd before the consultation had ended.
3. Unintended consequences
3.1 Do you think there are there any unintended consequences arising from the Bill? If no, go to question 4.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
The Bill is putting Catholic schools in breach of its Trust Deeds.
The burden of a 2 parallel syllabus for RE within Catholic schools.
The Bill creates a negative impression of RE within Catholic Schools. That it is not balanced and pluralist. This is not the case.
It impacts on the relationship with parents - it undermines their rights. It could lead to more children being home schooled.
Catholic schools have been treated in a discriminatory way. It threatens their beliefs and practices. It goes against the history of Catholic schools in Wales
4. Financial implications
4.1 Do you have any comments on the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum)? If no, go to question 5.1
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
Financial Implication include:
Release of staff for Professional Learning. The CfW implies collaboration across schools and schools need financial resources for that.
Resources for planning and delivering a separate RE syllabus. Only Catholic schools will have to do this.
5. Powers to make subordinate legislation
5.1 Do you have any comments on the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum). If no, go to question 6.1.
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 500 words)
This Bill allows the potential for WG to make changes to legislation in the future. This could lead to RE/REV being removed as a mandatory element from the curriculum.
Catholic schools' RE is at the core of all we do . This would impact on the distinct nature of Catholic schools.
The total lack of listening by WG
The disappointment that Catholic schools are depicted as lacking balance and inclusion within its RE/RSE
REV doesn't reflect our faith, beliefs and our community.
6. Other considerations
6.1 Do you have any other points you wish to raise about this Bill?
(we would be grateful if you could keep your answer to around 1000 words)
As a Headteacher of Catholic Primary school I certainly deliver a RE curriculum that encompasses the WG four purposes and reflects the needs of the community with which it serves. The virtues that we uphold within our school focuses on
"improvement in living and learning for the greater glory of god and the common good"
Our Mission Statement emphasises that
" Each person is our school is unique and our intention is that they will all develop, spiritually, morally and academically to their full potential- with Jesus as their guide , the Holy Spirit as their inspiration and God as their loving Father."
Our latest Estyn inspection (2015) and our Section 50 inspection (2016) confirmed and validated that we are living out our mission statement and are providing our pupils a balanced and inclusive curriculum for all,