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.
Organisation: St. Joseph's Junior School
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)
Leads to a broad and balanced curriculum.
Connects to community.
More freedom for teachers and schools to create a purpose led creative curriculum.
However fails to recognise the professionalism of staff in Catholic Schools
and doesn't pay due regard to the context of the Catholic Community.
Disagree on the name change to Religion, Values and Ethics as this is an integral part of Catholic schools which our Religious Education contributes to.
We meet the current legal requirements.
What and how we teach is balanced .
A second syllabus is a burden in terms of workload and cost.
Catholic schools are attended by children whose parents have chosen to send them.
Schools may be in breach of trust deeds.
Removal of the right to withdraw takes the rights away from the parents.
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)
The Religious Education provision in Catholic school already is balanced and fair so doesn't need to be revised.
It would be an added burden to provide two distinct Religious Education curricula.
This would go against the Trust Deeds of Catholic schools.
RSE and RE doesn't comply with the teachings of the Church, for example in regards to marriage and 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)
Catholic heads have already written to the government expressing concerns.
There seems to be a loss of trust and no opportunity for dialogue.
The impact of dealing with Covid adds to the work and strain.
Current focus is on Wellbeing and catchup.
Staff availability is impacted upon and the availability of resources and time for professional learning.
VA schools potentially will have two syllabus to work from.
Takes away the parental objections by removing the right to withdraw.
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)
Timeframes haven't changed despite the pandemic.
Planning and preparation time is needed.
Not all the guidance has been published.
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)
Breach of legal duty to comply with the school's trust deeds.
Creates a negative impression that our curriculum isn't balanced.
R.E as a rigorous, academic subject might be undermined.
Affecting parents rights.
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)
Release of staff for cover to develop curriculum.
Time for collaboration.
Fees for qualifications.
Money for experiential learning opportunities.
Digital infrastructure implications.
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)
Potential to make changes in the future and remove RVE as a mandatory element would leave us without an R.E curriculum.
It is a core subject in our curriculum.
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)
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