Agenda item

Members were provided with a copy of the 2019 GCSE Outcomes (for copy, see file of minutes).

The Education Durham Support and Provision Lead presented the report and advised Members that there had been a decline in the percentage of pupils taking GCSE Religious Studies, but the average grade achievement had increased and was above the national average.

The strongest performing schools in terms of GCSE Religious Studies attainment were St Bede’s RC Comprehensive School and Byron Sixth Form College, Wolsingham School and Easington Academy. The strongest performing schools in terms of progress were St Bede’s RC Comprehensive School and Byron Sixth Form College, St Johns School and Sixth Form College and St Bede’s RC Comprehensive School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester.

53 students took an A Level RS qualification in 2019 compared to 58 in 2018. The average point score was above the national average and higher than in 2018.

Members discussed the report and in response to questions were advised that 26 secondary schools out of 32 secondary schools entered pupils for a GCSE in RS in 2019.

Members were provided with details of support offered to schools in 2018-19.

A RE Expert Panel had also been set up that had contributed to the development of a non-examined KS4 curriculum plan that formed part of the draft Durham Agreed Syllabus for RE.

Members asked if C Robson would be in attendance at future SACRE meetings to feedback on national conferences she had attended.

Members were advised that C Robson was an independent consultant, Education Durham could feedback on conferences but could not guarantee C Robson’s attendance at SACRE as her time was paid for by Education Durham and not SACRE.

The Education Durham Support and Provision Lead advised Members that Education Durham no longer had Specialist Inspectors for subjects. Members indicated that SACRE was a statutory function and the way forward was a working group to look at the strategic future of SACRE and the short and long-term plans, as suggested by the Chair.

Resolved: That the report be noted.