The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) of Kingston upon Thames Council met to discuss religious education and worship in Kingston schools. The agenda included the appointment of a chair and vice-chair, updates on SACRE matters, and a review of the annual report. Members were also scheduled to discuss standards of religious education, a potential RE award, faith walks, and updates from RE Today and NASACRE¹.

Annual Report

The SACRE was scheduled to approve the Annual Report 2024/25. The Kingston SACRE Annual Report 2024-25 - Final Draft was to be presented as late material.

RE Today's Update

The RE Today consultant was scheduled to provide updates, including any from NASACRE. The National SACRE Update Autumn 2025 Kingston Upon Thames revised document included information for the council, and for teachers and RE leads.

The report included information on:

• A new report card from NATRE² on the state of RE in England, which found that:

64% of the UK adult population think an education in religion and worldviews (or RE) is important yet just under 1 in 6 schools report not offering it in year 11.

• Examination results for 2025
• NASACRE training
• School Census Data
• YouGov data on belief in God
• Religious Media Centre updates
• Muslim Council of Britain updates

The report also included information for the classroom and RE leads, including:

• Ofsted's³ renewed Education Inspection Framework and Toolkit 2025
• Interfaith Week 2025
• RE Hubs
• NATRE-supported webinar for teachers of A level Religious Studies
• NATRE-affiliated national online RE networks
• Farmington scholarships
• Masters scholarships
• Upcoming RE Today Courses for the Autumn Term and beyond!
• Whole staff training or bespoke support for your school

SACRE Membership

The council was scheduled to note the membership of Kingston SACRE. The Kingston SACRE Membership List - Public listed the members as:

• Ms Rachel Leventhall, Kingston, Surbiton & District Synagogue
• Ms Charmaine Lee, Archdiocese of Southwark (Catholic)
• Ms Keren Wood, The local Evangelical Churches
• Ms Greta Farian, Local representative of Humanists UK
• Ms Rachel Phillips, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education
• Canon Mrs Jane Whittington, Diocese of Guildford
• Ms Jennifer Rickards, Malden Manor Primary & Nursery School
• Mrs Shamma Khan, Kings Oak Primary School
• Ms Emma Raven, The Kingston Academy
• Councillor Jackie Davies, Liberal Democrat
• Councillor Alison Holt, Liberal Democrat
• Councillor Ian George, Conservative
• Mr Simon Birch, Local Baha'i Community

Forward Plan

The council was scheduled to note the Kingston SACRE Forward Plan - 20 Oct 2025. The forward plan included:

• Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair
• SACRE Membership (Standing Item)
• Kingston SACRE Update (Standing Item)
• Annual Report 2024/25
• Monitor Standards of RE & Collective Worship in Kingston Schools
• RE Award
• Schools' Faith Walks
• RE Today's Update (including NASACRE updates) (Standing Item)
• Members' Update (Standing Item)
• Meeting Schedule
• Agreed Syllabus Conference - Preparations
• Review of Constitution
• SACRE Code of Conduct

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• The appointment of a chair and vice-chair for the academic year 2025/26.
• Apologies for absence and attendance of substitute members.
• Declarations of interest.
• Confirmation of the minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2025.
• Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.
• Kingston SACRE Update.
• Continued discussion from the last meeting on monitoring standards of RE & Collective Worship in Kingston Schools.
• Continued discussion from the last meeting on the RE Award.
• Continued discussion from the last meeting on Schools' Faith Walks.
• Members' Update.
• Meeting Schedule.
• Urgent items authorised by the chair.