SACRE

2024-25

Section 1: Information about SACRE / SACRVE

 

1.1 Duty to establish SACRE / SACRVE

All Local Authorities (LAs) are required to constitute a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) within their local area. Following the launch of the Curriculum for Wales in September 2022, all Local Authorities are required to constitute a Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics (SACRVE) within their local area. It has been agreed that the two standing advisory councils will share membership within Pembrokeshire and run in conjunction with each other over the next four years. They have separate constitutions. The report will refer to SACRE, but the work refers to both SACRE and SACRVE.

 

1.2 Composition of SACRE 

Representation on SACRE is required as follows:

• such Christian and other religious denominations as, in the opinion of the LA, will appropriately reflect the principal religious traditions in the area;  
• associations representing teachers; and
• the Local Authority.

 

1.3 Membership of SACRE

The list of members of Pembrokeshire SACRE/SACRVE is set out in Appendix 1.

 

1.4 Functions of SACRE

• To advise the LA on worship and the religious education/ religion, values and ethics to be given in accordance with the agreed syllabus including methods of teaching, advice on materials and the provision of training for teachers.
• To consider whether to recommend to the LA that its current agreed syllabus should be reviewed by convening an Agreed Syllabus Conference.
• To consider whether the requirement that collective worship in a county school should be ‘broadly Christian in nature’ or should be varied (determinations)
• To report to the LA and the Welsh Government on its activities on an annual basis.

 

1.5 Meetings of SACRE

SACRE met on three occasions during the 2024 –2025 academic year. The agenda for each meeting can be found in Appendix 2. All meetings were held as face-to-face meetings. As agreed in 2023, all meetings for both SACRE and SACRVE will be held collectively, with common membership for both committees (see constitution/s for details).

 

7^th November 2024 – County Hall, Haverfordwest

12^th March 2025 – Pembrokeshire College

17^th June 2025 – Ysgol Casmael

 

1.6 Development Plan 2024-25  

The development plan for the Committee can be found in Appendix 6.

 

1.7 Circulation of report 

A list of the organisations receiving the report can be found in Appendix 5.

 

Section 2: Advice on religious education, religion, values and ethics                 

 

2.1 The locally agreed syllabus

Following adoption in 2008 of the Pembrokeshire agreed syllabus for Religious Education, and its re adoption every five years, Pembrokeshire published its agreed syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics in 2022.

 

The development of the agreed syllabus for RVE involved a wide range of stakeholders, including learners, teachers, SACRE members and the legal team within Pembrokeshire council.

 

Pembrokeshire SACRE remain committed to ensuring that schools and teachers are supported to deliver high quality RE/ RVE for their learners that not only meets their statutory duties but also allows learners to develop their religious and worldview literacy, essential for citizenship in today’s diverse, multi-cultural and multi secular world.

 

2.2 Standards in RE

SACRE has adopted a number of strategies for monitoring standards being achieved in religious education in the Authority’s schools, which include the following:

 

2.2a School inspection reports

SACRE has examined the relevant sections of LA school inspection reports. During the academic year September 2024 – September 2025, fifteen schools in Pembrokeshire were inspected, eight having an interim visit and a further seven having a full visit. The full ESTYN overview was shared with SACRE members at the Autumn 2024 meeting.

 

There were many comments within the full reports ascertaining to high quality RVE.

 

Staff make valuable use of the school’s extensive grounds and the many amenities in the local area to enrich pupils’ learning experiences. The curriculum successfully supports pupils to develop a deeper understanding of fairness, relationships and the importance of respecting different religions, cultures and beliefs. (Templeton and Tavernspite Federation; March 2025)

 

Pupils benefit from opportunities to explore local and global issues and to consider peoples lived experiences. These opportunities support their ethical, moral social and spiritual development well. (Pembroke Dock Primary School; June 2025)

 

2.2b Examination results

Examination results for GCSE and GCE Advanced Level achieved by pupils at the eight schools with secondary age pupils within the LA have been analysed and considered. Figures that relate to results over the last five years were analysed to indicate trends in performance. The examination results are compared with the All-Wales figures, where available. The data was shared with SACRE members at the Autumn 2025 meeting.

 

It is noted that there has been a decrease in A level entries and GCSE short course entries across the local authority and this reflects the national profile.

SACRE raised concerns over the significant decrease in entry numbers and are undertaking work, in line with their development plan around meeting statutory requirements and the support required from Pembrokeshire SACRE.

 

SACRE have continued to discuss processes of informal monitoring of RE/ RVE provision to provide a triangulated approach, using school governor reports and internal self-evaluation, and this will be part of the work of Pembrokeshire in 2025-2026.

 

See appendix 4 for data overview.

 

2.3 Methods of teaching, teacher materials and teacher training

 

Professional Learning 

An extensive professional learning offer has been shared with schools across Pembrokeshire to include sessions for the following stakeholders

• School Governors
• School Improvement Team
• SACRE members
• Secondary RVE leads
• Primary RVE/ Humanities leads
• Twilight substantive knowledge seminars
• NQT
• Bespoke individual school support
• Cluster support for RVE

 

All professional learning was offered after rigorous planning and quality assurance processes and extensive evaluation and feedback from the sessions was shared with the school improvement lead and SACRE members.

 

Impact statements from the professional learning sessions included:

 

These sessions are the most thought provoking and useful sessions for all aspects of RVE. Almost everything as it is so relevant and collaborative but the self-evaluation tool and the ideas from networking as well as all the links for grants and PD as well (have been of particular use)

(Secondary middle leader)

 

Thanks for such a great day yesterday - I always come back from network meetings with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.

(Secondary middle leader)

 

Lots of ideas from other schools to share back in school and discuss to help us improve RVE in school. Look in more depth at the Sub Lenses guidance to help us develop our own curriculum.

(Primary lead)

 

Thank you so much for such a clear, and thorough explanation of SACRE committee role and purpose. I really appreciate your hard work, and am very grateful for your insight, and wisdom, as we develop our work further as an advisory and supportive resource for our Schools, and local authorities.

(SACRE/ SACRVE member)

 

Just wanted to drop you a message again to say thank you for your help last week. 

(Bespoke)

 

Pembrokeshire SACRE/SACRVE is committed to organising an annual RVE conference, held each November. This year’s event was very well attended, with 94% of delegates stating that the conference was either very useful or useful to their work within schools. As part of our commitment to ensuring that our professional learning offer meets the needs of our schools and delivers impact for learners, we have developed a rigorous process of self-evaluation. This process not only informs our ongoing practice but also feeds directly into our work and development plan, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with school priorities. The full report is available in Appendix 3.

 

Teaching Materials

 

1. Utilising the grant from Westhill, Pembrokeshire have been able to provide schools with resources, pedagogy and training to support with the delivery of objective, critical and pluralistic RVE.
2. All providers with sixth form provision have been invited to register two students for the Lessons from Auschwitz project, and all teachers have received information about the Holocaust Education Trust teacher training opportunities.
3. The SACRE aspect of the LA website has been updated and is becoming populated with information of value to schools. The Pembrokeshire Learning Network (PLN) also has an area dedicated to RVE. All colleagues across the region are also able to access materials via the regional MS TEAMS.
4. Each SACRE meeting will incorporate an aspect of teaching and learning as an agenda item.
5. Pembrokeshire SACRE continues to work closely with Partneriaeth in ensuring a collaborative approach towards professional learning.

 

Section 3: Advice on collective worship    

In Autumn 2024, a representative of the sub-group convened on three occasions to plan and draft the Pembrokeshire DACW guidance. This initiative was driven by feedback from teachers and the committee’s commitment to ensuring that its work continues to support and meet the needs of stakeholders.

Following the drafting process, the guidance was circulated to stakeholders for consultation and feedback. After incorporating responses, the final version was formally approved by the committee during its Spring 2025 meeting.

The guidance has now been officially launched for use in schools. Its implementation will be monitored as part of the annual Pembrokeshire SACRE survey scheduled for February 2026.

            

3.1 School inspection reports

SACRE has examined the relevant sections of LA school inspection reports. During the academic year September 2024 – September 2025, fifteen schools were inspected.

 

Members were presented with a summary of findings from these inspections. If any issues emerge regarding collective worship such as non-fulfilment of statutory requirements, then the LA follows this up by requesting the action plan and a progress report.

 

There were several positive comments regarding DACW within Pembrokeshire schools to be celebrated.

 

Through experiences and learning activities such as these, the curriculum supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness effectively. (Coastlands, November 2024)

 

Joint worship periods promote pupils’ spiritual and moral development purposefully. During the services, for example, pupils reflect meaningfully on particular values and pupils’ rights, which contributes successfully to a happy and caring ethos that exists across the school. (Ysgol Llanychllwydog, Ysgol Casamel Federation, June 2025)

 

3.2 Applications for Determination

No applications were received from schools for determinations to be made on the lifting of the requirements for collective worship to be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.

 

3.3 School visits

SACRE is delighted to celebrate the wonderful opportunities provided for members to observe acts of collective worship in schools. At our Summer 2024 meeting, the committee was warmly welcomed to Ysgol Casmael to experience the daily act of collective worship. Members greatly appreciated this privilege and were thrilled to witness the school leaders’ outstanding commitment to this important aspect of school life.

 

Section 4: Other issues

 

4.1 Constitution

Following an extensive consultation period, Pembrokeshire SACRE and Pembrokeshire SACRVE in 2023-2024, adopted their new constitutions to align with legacy Religious Education and Religion, Values and Ethics within the Curriculum for Wales. In our Spring 2025 meeting, it was agreed to amend the membership to develop a more inclusive committee, adding the opportunity for ‘Up to 5 members from other World View Representatives’

 

4.2 Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

Holocaust Memorial Day was commemorated nationally with events organised by the Holocaust Education Trust and Holocaust Memorial Day. All events and the opportunity to join the ‘live streaming’ were shared with schools. Many of our secondary schools have made use of the Holocaust Education Trust Testimony 36o resources, that combines digital eye witness testimony with virtual reality, providing invaluable opportunities for students to learn more about the Holocaust.

 

4.3 Training of SACRE Members 

As part of its training for members SACRE are committed to the following:

 

• To keep members updated on developments in RE/RVE and collective worship through regular presentations to SACRE members. The RE/RVE Adviser gives termly updates and regularly updates via email communication.
• Annual SACRE training for all members takes place during the Autumn term. The session is designed to help members understand the role and purpose of the Committee and provides an open forum for questions and discussion.
• SACRE, where possible, will hold meetings at schools in Pembrokeshire for members to familiarise themselves with RE/ RVE and collective worship in schools. The Summer meeting this year was hosted by Ysgol Casmael.
• SACRE, where possible will hold meetings at places of worship in Pembrokeshire for members to familiarise themselves with the faith/ worldview communities and look at the experience that could be offered to schools through school visits.
• Each meeting will include at least one presentation regarding RE/RVE which informs SACRE members about RE/RVE practice both within and outside of the school environment. In 2023-24, the following presentations were given:

 

• Presentation from the Wales assessor of the RE Quality Mark – Heather Hansen
• RS Presentation at Pembrokeshire College – Sarah Kay Tushingham-Ford
• RVE/ DACW at Ysgol Casmael – Amanda Lawrence

 

SACRE is very appreciative of the opportunities offered through visits and presentations to become more informed on RE and Collective Worship issues in schools and would like to extend their appreciation to all concerned.

 

 4.4 Membership of SACRE 

Pembrokeshire SACRE prides itself on the inclusive nature of its membership and encourages a range of diverse views to be expressed on the committee and during meetings. The membership is strong and diverse and provides a real reflection on both the ‘religious and secular’ nature of the LA.

 

Pembrokeshire SACRE currently has two co-opted members.

 

The Constitution was amended in Spring 2025 to ensure a more inclusive approach to membership.

 

4.5 Working with partners

Pembrokeshire SACRE representatives are committed to ensuring that all schools within the local authority have access to high quality RE/ RVE and as such, meet and work with national partners and regional SACREs to support their work.

 

Several schools have provided SACRE with an overview of their RVE work and these insights can be found in appendix 5.

 

 

Appendix one: Pembrokshire SACRE/SACRVE membership 2024-25

 

Chair: Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall

 Vice-Chair: Councillor Marc Tierney

 

Group A

Christian Denominations and Other Religions

 

Church in Wales (3)                       

Rev Heather Cale

Rev Richard Davies

Rev Belinda Roberts

 

Roman Catholic (3)                         Abbie Davies (Joined August 2024)

 

Nonconformist (3)                          Mr Emyr Phillips

 

Muslim Community (1)                  Sheikh Mohsen El-Beltagi

 

Buddhist Community (1)               Mani Dowsett

 

Humanist Association (1)              Clare Campbell

 

World View Representatives (5)      Lee Mills: Spiritualism

 

 

Group B

 

NAHT – Leanne Prevel

NASUWT - Lucy Harris

UCAC - Amanda Lawrence

NEU - Vacant

UCU – Sarah-Kay Tushingham-Ford

 

Group C

Local Authority

 

County Council representatives (7)          

Chair: Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall

Vice-Chair: Councillor Marc Tierney

Cllr Jamie Adams

Cllr David Howlett

Cllr Mike James

 

SACRE/SACRVE OFFICERS:

Mrs Sian Rowles - Education Department, Pembrokeshire Council

Mrs Jennifer Harding-Richards – RE Advisory support

Paul Davies - Southwest Wales Community Cohesion Officer (Joined August 2024)

Clerk – Democratic Services Officer, Pembrokeshire Council

 

Appendix 2           

Schedule of meetings and agenda items

The main items of business on the agenda included:

 

The main items of business on the agenda included:

 

7^th November 2024; 16:00 – 18:00

County Hall – Haverfordwest / Hybrid

 

1. Welcome – chair
2. Apologies for absence – chair
3. Minutes of the Summer meeting and matters arising – chair
4. Presentation: REQM (Heather Hansen)
5. Monitoring RE/ RVE - JHR

          (a)    ESTYN reports 2023-2024

          (b)   Exam analysis 2024

          (c)    Headteacher reports 2023-2024

          (d)   Annual report

          (e)    Professional Learning offer – Pembrokeshire 2024-2025

6. RVE development plan and conference evaluation: SR
7. Meeting dates and venues for next meetings – Clerk

 

 

12^th March 2025; 16:00 – 18:00

Pembrokeshire College

 

1.      Welcome

2.      Apologies for absence

3.      Welcome to new members

4.      Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising 

5.      Presentation from Pembrokeshire College

6.      Annual Report

7.      DACW Guidance

8.      Professional Learning/ School Support Update

9.      Development Plan Update

10.   Membership Request

 

17^th June 2025; 14:30 – 16:30

Ysgol Casmael

 

1.      Welcome

2.      Constitution

3.      School Presentation – Ysgol Casmael

4.      Minutes of previous meeting and action points

5.      DACW

6.      Development Plan

7.      Rasing the profile for RE/ RVE

8.      Professional Learning 2025-2026

9.      Election of Chair and Vice Chair; 2025-2027

10.   Dates; 2025-2026 meetings

 

 

Appendix 3: RVE Conference 4.10.24 Evaluation

 

 

Appendices

Guests representing:

• Christian Aid
•  Global Dignity
• Humanist Society
• Milford Mosque
• Pembrokeshire College
• Pupils from Pembroke Dock Community School

 

Full responses to free text answers

 

Q5. What have been the most useful aspects/approaches of the RVE conference?

 

•  Sharing work on the UNCRC and dignity. Discussion with others
•  Presentations from other schools in the county based on what RVE looks like in their school. It was useful to hear about the programmes they used to develop RVE within their settings. I also found it extremely beneficial to be given time within the structure of the day for discussion around the table.
•  The resources/agencies out there to support.
• Hearing what other schools are doing in RVE.
•  The elements of the course that I found the most useful were Christian Aid and the information/statistics of religious beliefs in Pembrokeshire
•  Opportunity to network with other schools and take notes on individual school journeys and offers from LA partnerships.
•  Being able to network and share good practice
• Whole school approach ideas, workshops from other schools.
•  Seeing the work of other schools
•   A variety of speakers, being able to discuss issues directly with various staff.
• The opportunity to talk with other teachers and share experiences
•  Hearing from other schools, time to discuss with colleagues, and guest speakers
•  Hearing presentations from other schools and networks
•  Useful resources, e.g., NATRE, Global Dignity etc. It was also good to talk/ network with other Humanities leads.
•  Hearing the journey of other schools, opportunities to discuss with other schools and an awareness of data within Pembrokeshire.
•  Hearing from other schools
•  Sharing what other schools are doing. A good leveller to measure what we are already doing.
• Seeing what other schools are doing and how they have started to implement RVE into their curriculum. Talking to people from other schools about where they are on their journey.
•  It was good to see the journeys other schools had been on. It was reassuring to know we have been following a similar path. The information about dignity and how the values part of RVE can be entwined also sparked some ideas to take back. The conversation about religious literacy was interesting and possibly an aspect I'd not considered as fully before and will look at how to build this into our curriculum.
•  Chance to hear what the primary schools are doing
•  Hear about good practice in other schools and have the opportunity to speak with teachers from other schools and interact. Learning that there is a mosque in Milford Haven :)
•  Jennifer, school presentations
• Hear from various speakers
•  To hear what primary schools are doing to embed effective RVE.
•  Hearing about practice in other schools and support available.
•  Connecting with others in Pembrokeshire
•  Messy stories
•  Gaining a further understanding of the delivery of RVE across the curriculum.
•  Making links with others
•  Listening to presentations from other schools. Being given time to digest and discuss what we heard
•  Examples of good practise. Support regarding how to use the RVE AS.
•  The sharing of RVE provision in other schools and the opportunity to network with other RVE leads.
•  Networking with cluster schools to share ideas and experiences.

 

Q6.  What will you do as a result of the RVE conference?

•  Focus on how individuals see themselves in our curriculum - what religions can they see in our school?
•  I would like to look further into 'Dignity' and 'PATHS' moving forward.
• Share the information and resources with other staff members back in school. Incorporate non religious groups in our teaching.
• Add Paganism into my SoW as a result of census data, look into Global Dignity Day, look into books such as 'The Star Outside me Window' and see if these can fit into my SoW to develop reading skills in the dept
• We have signed up to Christian Aid - Global Neighbours Cymru. We are also doing a whole school day for Global Dignity Day, arranging a trip to Milford Mosque for our Owl Crew (RVE group) which they will talk about in their assembly and we are going to focus on humanist beliefs as our non-religious belief.
•  Link with Christian Aid. Complete RVE self evaluation
• I will make use of the resources given, implement some of the good teaching approaches discussed and reach out to my local community
• Consider how best to develop our Christian Ethos. Work on developing our RVE curriculum.
• Moving forward with our planning and taking all aspects into consideration.
• Look at our RVE action plan again.
• We will certainly be re looking at our plans as a school and evaluating where we are on the journey at present
• Create an action plan for RVE. Look at our school community and develop an RVE which reflects them.
•  Implement ideas / lessons shared
•  Feedback to staff and ensure clear consistency and progression in RVE.
• Create an action plan for our school moving moving. Look to engage with external agencies. Look to build on cluster work.
•  Feedback to staff and look at ways of developing our practice further, taking inspiration from what we have seen.
•  Ensure the non-religious and philosophical views are panned for. Currently mostly focussing on the Abrahamic and Dharmic faiths.
•  Take the information I have learnt back to my colleagues and decide on a plan of action going forward.
•  Share information about values/ dignity with H&w lead and see about the possibility of building this into our work on values.
•  Further implementation and mapping
•  Share with staff back at school. Re-examine our RVE plan again and refine it
•  Re-energise our RVE teaching, go back to the agreed syllabus, magpie other schools' ideas
•  Share the information with staff and refine aspects of the map and opportunities that pupils receive.
• Try to develop further links with our feeder schools.
•  Review our provision for RVE and consider further links with the community.
•  We have feedback to our peers in school. Overall, we believe our RVE coverage is great. Just need to evidence what we are doing.
•  Speak to Heather Cale, our Prendergast Church vicar, about bringing Messy stories to our school.
•  Continue to lead and support our school in the successful implementation of RVE across the curriculum.
•  Look at the non religious beliefs
•  I think what I took from the course is that we possibly need to dig deeper in to fewer religions, rather than trying to scratch the surface of them all.
•  RVE Self evaluation and formulate an action plan for our school.
• Further develop long and medium term planning using knowledge and understanding gained from the conference.
•  Join Christian Aid to complete bronze award. Continue to create floor book with evidence throughout the school. Hold specific religious days/week throughout the school. Hold assemblies to share with everyone what we have achieved.

 

Appendix 4: Examination results 2025

Table 1: Religious studies A2

Only one school in Pembrokeshire entered students in the Summer of 2025

 

	Entries	A*	A	B	C	D	E
Wales (JCQ)	737	5.4	24.4	53.4	77.3	91	98.6
Pembrokeshire	9			66.7	88.9	88.9	100

 

Table 2: Religious studies GCSE's

 

Six out of eight secondary schools entered students for the GCSE full course in the Summer of 2025

Five out of the eight secondary schools entered students for the GCSE short course in the Summer of 2025

One school entered no students for either the GCSE full or short course in the Summer of 2025

16% of the total WJEC entries for short course GCSE came from Pembrokeshire students; with the qualification no longer being on offer for the ‘Made for Wales qualification offer, this raises questions around how Pembrokeshire schools will meet their statutory responsibilities for 14-16 learner entitlement in RVE.

 

	Entries	A*-A	A*-C	A*-G
Wales (JCQ) Full course	8938	30.5	67.4	96.3
Pembrokeshire	382	17.8	54.2	97.4
Wales (JCQ) Short Course	1882	16.3	48.2	92.7
Pembrokeshire	311	12.9	35	87.1

 

Apendix 5: Insights from Schools 

Insights from Schools are available on request.

 

Appendix 6: Development Plan 2024-2025

The Development Plan is available on request.

 

Appendix 7: Circulation of Report

Copies will be sent electronically to the relevant bodies below and published on the SACRE section of the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

 

Annual Report sent to:

 

• Welsh Government by 31 December annually.
•  Pembrokeshire County Council Education Directorate.
•  All members of SACRE and their organisations.
•  Headteachers and Governing Bodies of all Schools in Pembrokeshire with a briefing paper for the Spring Term full governing body meeting.