The Hillingdon Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on 25 March 2026 to discuss updates on national and local initiatives, review the draft statutory syllabus for Religious Education, and plan future actions. Key decisions included the approval of the draft statutory syllabus and the agreement to change the date of the next SACRE meeting.

Agreed Syllabus Conference

The council convened as the Agreed Syllabus Conference to discuss the development of support materials for the Hillingdon Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. The draft statutory syllabus, which had been developed collaboratively with schools and faith groups, was presented. This syllabus aims to promote spiritual, moral, cultural, social, mental, and physical development in pupils, preparing them for adult life. It emphasizes a conceptual approach to RE, moving beyond rote learning of facts to exploring meaningful questions through a flower model which represents key concepts, personal knowledge, and substantive knowledge. The council approved the draft statutory syllabus, and it was agreed that the Head of Education and Lifelong Learning would facilitate dialogue with headteachers for its launch. The recommendations of the Agreed Syllabus Conference were subsequently approved by HSACRE members.

National Updates

Stacey Burman, the SACRE Advisor, provided updates on national initiatives. She informed members about NASACRE's In Conversation events, which focus on inter-belief dialogue and community cohesion. The SACRE Advisor also shared details of the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), which aims to achieve consensus within the RE community regarding the inclusion of RE in the national curriculum. A white paper focused on community cohesion and improved RE education was also mentioned, with a link to be circulated to members.

Local Updates

Several local updates were presented. A letter had been sent to Councillor Susan O'Brien, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, to raise awareness of Hillingdon SACRE's work among elected Members. Dorothy Sadlik reported on a positive response received from the Cabinet Member regarding an online Secondary Schools Interfaith Dialogue on Religious Persecution and Holocaust Memorial Day. It was suggested that the Cabinet Member be invited to a future meeting and that SACRE training be incorporated into new Member induction.

The Hillingdon Interfaith Calendar project was progressing, with winners chosen and the calendar being sent for design. Members were asked to check the calendar dates for any anomalies. A session with teachers had been held to review the RE syllabus, with representatives from 12 to 13 local schools attending. One teacher expressed an interest in joining Hillingdon SACRE.

The online Schools Interfaith Dialogue event, held in January 2026, focused on Why Remember? with a theme of religious persecution. The event was well-received and may be repeated in 2027, potentially with a focus on good and evil to include primary-aged children. The SACRE Advisor was also working on a bespoke Hillingdon Schools' Linking Programme with the Faith Belief Forum, focusing on identity, community, commonality, and cohesion. Hewens College had already registered to participate.

Workforce data from the Department for Education was presented, showing the percentage of curriculum time dedicated to RE teaching in secondary schools. It was noted that while 5% is recommended, it is not legally mandated and is often not met. Examination results data indicated encouraging results for GCSE RE, though the percentage of pupils taking A-level RE was very low.

Action Plan Update

The SACRE budget for the upcoming year was confirmed at £11.5k. It was noted that the SACRE Advisor was owed payment for work completed in the previous year, and it was essential to use her time wisely to avoid future overspends. The SACRE Advisor informed members that she had been involved in conversations with the Secretary of State regarding anti-religious hate in schools, and it was agreed that this topic would be added to Hillingdon SACRE's future action plan.

Dates of Future Meetings

The date of the next SACRE meeting was changed from 30 June 2026 to Wednesday 8 July 2026. The SACRE Advisor would confirm the venue in due course.