The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) of Worcestershire Council met on Thursday 4 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included discussions on national news concerning Religious Education, updates from members and local groups, and future meeting dates.

National News Update

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to focus on national developments impacting Religious Education (RE). This included an update on the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which had recommended RE become part of the National Curriculum. The report pack indicated that draft legislation was expected, with the revised curriculum anticipated for publication in Spring 2027 and implementation from September 2028. This change was noted as having the potential to significantly impact the role of SACREs.

Discussions were also scheduled regarding the EBacc and accountability measures. The report pack highlighted concerns that proposed changes to Progress 8 and Attainment 8 might negatively affect GCSE Religious Studies entries. Worcestershire SACRE's response to a consultation was included, expressing opposition to adding science to the 'breadth' category for these measures, arguing it would materially damage recovery in GCSE Religious Studies (RS) and a move towards curriculum breadth, opportunities to build social cohesion, and equity of access for all learners.

Furthermore, the meeting was set to consider a new cross-government publication from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, titled Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive and resilient United Kingdom. This document explicitly links RE to social cohesion and signals a renewed focus on the subject. The report pack noted that the publication commits to drive up standards in the teaching of Religious Education and will carefully consider including Religious Education in the national curriculum, subject to the sector reaching consensus. The role of SACREs was also recognised at a national level within this publication.

Updates were also scheduled on the NATRE Primary RE Survey, which seeks input from primary school teachers, and information regarding NASACRE (National Association of SACREs) and its engagement with the Local Government Association and the Department for Education concerning local government reorganisation. The NASACRE Conference and AGM, held in Birmingham on 18 May, was also to be discussed, focusing on the theme SACREs – Bringing communities together.

Update from Members and Local Groups

The meeting was scheduled to receive updates from members and local groups. This included a report from Dr Yvonne Stollard, who had attended a panel of speakers at a school in Worcester. Her update was expected to cover promoting local representation through RE Hubs speakers, concerns about rising antisemitism and the role of RE in addressing it, and issues related to the inappropriate or inaccurate teaching of Judaism in some schools.

Chris Giles was expected to provide an update on meetings being organised in local schools, and Tasnim Khawaja was to report on preparations with the Mosque for school visits. The Chair was also scheduled to mention that the Baha'i fast had ended around the same time as Ramadan.

Conferences

The meeting agenda included a discussion on conferences. The report pack referenced a previous meeting on 9 March 2026, where Stephen Pett had reported on planning for a Primary Conference on 3 June 2026, with a venue yet to be confirmed, and a Secondary Conference on 30 June 2026 at the University of Worcester.

Finance Update and Planning Future Support for Teachers

The meeting was scheduled to consider funding for the 2026/27 financial year and discuss potential initiatives to engage pupils and promote interest in RE. A priority identified in previous discussions was a conference for Year 9 pupils, with a proposed contribution of £2,000 from the SACRE budget. Chris Giles was expected to present a proposal on this matter.

Attendance at Primary and Secondary Heads Partnership Meetings

The agenda included a discussion on SACRE representation at termly Heads' Partnership meetings. It was anticipated that information about upcoming conferences would be shared to encourage attendance.

Future Meeting Dates

The meeting was scheduled to confirm future meeting dates, with Monday 5 October 2026 and Monday 8 March 2027 listed.