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.
Individual
1. The Bill’s general principles
1.1 Do you support the principles of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill?
Yes
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)
There is a need for a new curriculum and RE is a very important aspect of pupils' in maintained schools in Wales.
Generally agree with the CFW proposals as long as there are safeguards to ensure that RE is not swamped by History and Geography in the Humanities curriculum which is an area of concern.
Generally satisfied with the mandatory elements of the curriculum. I have some concerns that parents will in future might not be able to with draw their pupils B from the mandatory events of the RE curriculum and 'Relationships and Sexualty'. I think this will be highly contenscious and will probably result in litigation.
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)
Agree that the legislation needs to be updated.
I have serious doubts about the change of title from RE to RVE. I do not feel that this will benefit the subject in the future. The title RVE has been rejected by SACRES across Wales.
I would ask that this new title RVE is reconsidered.
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)
There do not appear to be major issues to implementing the Bill.
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)
Yes
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)
There will some unintended consequences particularly for SACRES.
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)
There will undoubtedly financial consequences of the Bill at all key stages but particularly at the Foundation Phase.Theer will neeed to be comprehensive in service training for the teaching of RE at all Key Stages. The RE curriculum will suffer unless there is comprehensive support for the teaching of the new RE curriculum.
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)
I am concerned that ministers will be making decisions in this important part of the curriculum which in the past has been informed by the Agreed Syllabus Committee.
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)
No