Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education   The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) is a committee of the London Borough of Bexley with a role, broadly, to support good Religious Education (RE) and collective worship in schools.   All local authorities are required by law to have a SACRE.   A SACRE must comprise four groups (or committees):   A: Christian denominations (other than the Church of England) and other faiths and beliefs representative of the Borough’s communities; B: the Church of England; C: teacher organisations; and, D: the Local Authority (to include Councillors).   RE is not part of the National Curriculum, but it must be taught in all schools.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of a SACRE to ensure that RE is taught according to a Locally Agreed Syllabus (see here).  The Agreed Syllabus must be reviewed every five years.   Parents have a right to withdraw their children from RE, or they may opt for their children to be taught in accordance with the religious character of the school, rather than in accordance with the Agreed Syllabus.  The SACRE's remit does not cover any non-religious school or any Academy that has chosen not to follow the locally Agreed Syllabus.   The Head Teacher of a school may apply to a SACRE for a “determination” if they feel that, for religious reasons, collective worship which reflects the broad traditions of Christian belief is not appropriate for their pupils.  Guidance on the procedures for seeking a determination is available here.   The SACRE was involved in the development of a booklet on Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development for teaching staff.  The booklet and related online materials are available: here (NB: log in required).   Each year the SACRE is required to publish an Annual Report on its work. The latest version is available here.