Children, Young People and Skills Committee
Agenda Item 88
Subject: Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Annual Report 2022
Date of meeting: 13th June 2022
Report of: Executive Director Families, Children & Learning
Contact Officer: Name: Ashley Seymour-Williams
Tel: 01273 293513
Email: Ashley.Seymour-Williams@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All
1.1 Since 1988 local authorities (LA) have had a duty to establish a Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).
1.2 The SACRE advises the LA on matters relating to collective worship in community schools and on religious education given in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus. Religious education is a statutory part of the basic curriculum for all pupils, but it is not a National Curriculum subject. SACRE also advises on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development.
1.3 The Education Act 1996, Section 391 (6) and (7) requires that each year the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) from each Local Authority will ‘publish a report as to the exercise of its functions and any action taken by the representative groups on the Council during the last preceding year’.
1.4 This report outlines the work of SACRE from September 2021 – March 2022.
1.5.1 SACRE also deal with complaints about RE. No complaints have been received.
2.1 That Committee notes the SACRE report
2.2 That Committee continues to support the profile of the teaching of RE in Brighton & Hove schools through cross party attendance at the meetings.
3.1 SACRE believes that all children and young people need to acquire core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of the religions and worldviews which not only shape our shared history and culture but which guide their development. The modern world needs young people who are confident in their own beliefs and values so that they can respect the religious and cultural differences of others. The effective teaching of a quality programme of RE is the best method for achieving these outcomes and SACRE aims, within its limited capacity to provide support with this.
3.2 SACRE continues to review and develop its membership to ensure representation of local faith communities. See appendix 1.
3.2 Prior to the pandemic, SACRE was meeting in local places of worship. The last face to face meeting took place in March 2020 at the Hove Hebrew Congregation, Holland Road Shul in Hove. This meeting included a tour of the synagogue and presentations from the Pagan Federation and about an audit visit to a secondary school.
3.3 During the pandemic meetings have taken place on TEAMs. Over this time SACRE members have contributed to engagement activities on the Trans Inclusion Schools Toolkit, the Anti-Racist Education Strategy and are currently involved in reviewing the Faith and Belief Guidance for Education Settings.
3.4 SACRE has twice asked schools to complete a survey on collective worship. 6 schools responded. SACRE is mindful of the current pressures on schools and SACRE is considering alternative methods for finding out more about how schools are fulfilling their statutory duties in relation to collective worship.
3.5 SACRE is pleased to report that a secondary subject network for RE has been established and meets termly with the support of a secondary RE lead.
3.6 A primary subject network is planned for the summer term led by a primary RE lead and options are being explored as to how this can be maintained as a termly offer to primary schools.
3.7 SACRE has funded sets of resources for 3 secondary and 10 primary schools that can be shared at the network meetings.
4.1 SACRE is a statutory function.
5.1 SACRE has members from different faith groups in Brighton & Hove, the two dioceses, the local authority and a range of educational settings. See appendix 1.
6.1 RE is important to work in schools and across the city to improve standards, community cohesion and raise awareness and understanding of difference.
6.2 Funding, capacity and the pandemic has limited opportunities to support teacher training and the monitoring of RE and collective worship.
7.1 SACRE has an annual budget of £0.008m. The Standards and Achievement Team also provides administrative and advisory support for SACRE.
There are no further financial implications of this report.
Name of finance officer consulted: David Ellis Date consulted (21/03/22):
8.1 As indicated in the report sub-sections 391(6) and (7) of the Education Act 1996 require that each year the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education
(SACRE) of each Local Authority publishes a report ‘as to the exercise of its functions and any action taken by the representative groups on the Council during the last preceding year’.
Name of lawyer consulted: Serena Kynaston Date consulted 05/04/2022
9.1 SACRE seeks to encourage effective RE teaching that develops understanding of and respect for religions and world views. This directly supports the equality act to protect against discrimination against someone due to religion or belief. Indirectly, effective RE teaching also supports anti-discrimination against the other protected characteristics.
10.1 Reviewing the sustainability checklist, effective RE teaching promotes healthy and safe environments for all children to work and learn.
11. Health
11.1 Effective RE teaching in schools helps to support children’s mental health through enabling open conversations and opportunities to explore spiritual and religious questions.
Supporting Documentation
1. SACRE Membership
Committee Group A - Faith and Belief Representatives
Michael Bray, Baptist Union
Lisa Compton, Religious Society of Friends, Quakers
Anna Flood. Catholic Diocese
Marielle Holman, Pagan Federation
Father Jerome, Orthodox Catholic Christians
Winston Pickett, Jewish Faith
Kat Reynolds, Humanist
Imam Uthman, Muslim Faith
Committee Group B - Church of England Diocese Representatives
Jane Fendley, Church of England Diocese
Chris Kronda, Church of England Diocese
Reverend Helen Rose, Church of England Diocese
Committee Group C - Councillors
Councillor Leslie Hamilton (Lbr)
Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones (Gre)
Councillor Alistair McNair (Con)
Councillor Sarah Nields (Gre)
Committee Group D - Teaching Union Representatives
Alison Haining, NASUWT
Hannah Kitchin-Frost, NEU Representative
Officers/ Guests
Tom Newlands, University of Brighton , Lecturer in Religious Studies
Sam Beal, School Partnership Adviser, Health & Wellbeing
Tess Gill, Clerk to SACRE