The Lancashire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss membership updates, the SACRE newsletter, collective worship training, the curriculum and assessment review, a North West SACRE Hub meeting, and summer term school visits. Due to a lack of attendees, the meeting was inquorate¹ and no decisions were taken. The council did express their gratitude to County Councillor Anne Cheetham and County Councillor Stewart Jones, who were not standing for re-election at the forthcoming county council elections on 1 May.

Curriculum and Assessment Review

The Lancashire SACRE considered the interim report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review. The report noted that a phased programme of work in different subject areas was expected to be recommended, and that a final report would be published in Autumn 2025.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review is a review of the national curriculum and statutory assessment system, including qualification pathways, that was commissioned by the government. The review aims to ensure that the curriculum is cutting edge, fit for purpose and meeting the needs of children and young people to support their future life and work.

NASACRE North West Hub Meeting

John Wilson, Chair, updated the SACRE on the recent meeting of the North West SACRE Hub which had taken place on 25 March. Discussions included:

• The Charities Commission had agreed that NASACRE met the criteria as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Elections to the new executive committee would take place at the NASACRE on 19 May, which John Wilson and Aruna Patel would be attending.
• Most SACREs appeared to be submitting annual reports and these were analysed by NASACRE. Alison Lloyd, School Adviser, Education Improvement Service, had asked for some feedback on annual reports which would be helpful in terms of improvement and sharing best practice, and this suggestion would be taken forward.
• Training and webinars were available to SACRE Members.
• School linking which had been taking place in Lancashire for some time, e.g. a school in Colne had recently been linked with a school in Workington.
• Hindu Education Board. Harsha Shukla, representing Hinduism, updated on the Hindu SACRE representatives meetings which were still at an early stage.
• SACRE Members were asked to consider ideas for applications to the Westhill Award Scheme.
• New Collective Worship Guidance from Salford SACRE would be shared.

NASACRE is the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education. It supports and represents SACREs in England and Wales.

SACRE Newsletter

The SACRE welcomed the Spring edition of the SACRE Newsletter and commented on the attractive and easy to read design and layout of the publication. Alison Lloyd highlighted some of the key points within the newsletter:

• The annual Religious Education survey for schools would be undertaken in June.
• Free Religious Education Network meetings, the take up of which had been positive to date.
• Spotlight on Keith Pennington, Humanist Observer on the Lancashire SACRE, who offered to give SACRE Members an overview of Humanism at a future meeting.
• Hinduism workshops delivered by SACRE Member, Aruna Patel.
• Updates from the Associate Religious Education Consultants.

Collective Worship Training

Alison Lloyd reported that Rebekah Fielding, one of the Associate Religious Education Consultants, had delivered collective worship training to those schools which had identified a training need in that area or those which had judged themselves as requiring improvement in the teaching of Religious Education. A copy of the presentation slides was included in the agenda pack. The training had been well-received and Alison Lloyd was asked to pass on the thanks of the SACRE to Rebekah Fielding for undertaking this important training for schools.

Other Business

Harsha Shukla drew SACRE's attention to increasing tensions between India and Pakistan following the murder of 26 tourists in Pahalgam in Kashmir and a subsequent incident at Pakistan's High Commission in London.

There was a brief discussion about Interfaith Week and plans in Lancashire including events at UCLAN, Preston.