Carmarthenshire Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics

With a background as a secondary school teacher, having taught in London, Merthyr Tydfil and Swansea, I now work as an adviser for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE), supporting schools across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. I also serve as the RVE adviser to the three SACRVE bodies across the region, working with local authorities, schools and practitioners to support strong and inclusive RVE provision.

I believe that high quality RVE is a vital part of every learner’s educational entitlement and plays an important role in supporting children and young people to become ethical and informed citizens. My vision for RVE is that it enables learners to think critically, engage respectfully with diverse religious and non religious worldviews, and explore ethical and philosophical questions that help them make sense of the world. I believe SACRVE has a pivotal role in supporting schools, promoting equity and ensuring that RVE reflects the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales.

Following a local government career spanning over 30 years, I now work as a freelance consultant, supporting improvement in public services across Wales. I was elected as a County Councillor in 2022. As part of my role, it is my privilege to sit on Carmarthenshire’s SACRVE and to be its Chair. It is my job to ensure that the Committee undertakes its business effectively, oversees implementation of its delivery plan and ensures that all members of the Committee have an equal voice.

The SACRVE is critical in overseeing delivery of Religion, Values and Ethics across Carmarthenshire, supporting teachers, promoting it as a subject of choice, and championing daily acts of worship in schools. It plays a vital role in ensuring that RVE remains a valued and properly resourced subject for Carmarthenshire students, and I’m proud to be part of making this happen.

As a secondary school teacher in Carmarthenshire, I have over 30 years experience of teaching Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) across all levels, including preparing learners for GCSE and A-Level examinations. As a teacher representative on the SACRVE, I bring current classroom insight and a practical understanding of the challenges facing schools. I am committed to promoting engaging, inclusive RVE that supports all learners.

I believe RVE is a vital part of the Curriculum for Wales, helping young people to become ethical, informed citizens. It enables learners to think critically, engage with diverse religious and non-religious worldviews, and explore important moral and philosophical questions. Through my role on SACRVE, I aim to support schools in delivering this vision and ensuring equitable, high-quality provision for all.

Having worked in the legal profession as a Solicitor, following my retirement in 2009, I trained as a Humanist celebrant. Whilst I am now also retired from that role, I maintain my link with Dyneiddwyr Cymru/Wales Humanists, particularly in my work as the Humanist representative on the Carmarthenshire SACRVE.

I have been fortunate to share life experiences with people from a wide range of beliefs, both religious and non-religious, which enables me to bring extensive knowledge to the SACRVE. I believe that it is important for the teachers and pupils of Carmarthenshire to understand a range of belief systems in the hope that such an understanding will lead to increased tolerance.

Following a forty-year career as an RE teacher, senior lecturer, PGCE Secondary RE Course Director and Subject Officer for GCSE Religious Studies at the WJEC Examination Board, I now sit on Carmarthenshire SACRVE as a co-opted member.

I believe Religion, Values and Ethics is a crucial part of a broad, educational entitlement. RVE promotes critical thinking, informed debate, an understanding of belief systems, a thoughtful consideration of life’s ultimate questions and an awareness of world events. I am proud of the work we do as a SACRVE to promote the subject and support Carmarthenshire’s RVE teachers and learners.

I am an Executive Support Officer within the Education and Leisure Department at Carmarthenshire County Council and have proudly served as Clerk to Carmarthenshire SACRVE since 2024. With 26 years of service, I bring a wealth of experience to my role and truly value the opportunities it provides.

Based in Carmarthen, I support the smooth running of meetings and processes. I am passionate about the Welsh language, working as a Welsh mentor and promoting Cymraeg in my daily work. Outside of work, I have a lifelong love of music and singing and am an organist at Elim Chapel, Ffynnonddrain, where I take great pride in assisting our Minister by actively participating in Sunday and other services.