The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) of Wandsworth Council met on Monday 22 June 2026. The meeting's agenda included discussions on feedback from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) conference, updates on faith trails, and future meeting dates.

NASACRE Conference Feedback

The council was scheduled to discuss documents from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) conference. The conference, held on 18 May 2026, focused on the theme Rejoicing in Difference: SACREs' Role in Building Social Harmony. Keynote speakers included Professor Vanessa Ogden CBE, who spoke about the nation-building role of schools and how RE contributes to social cohesion. She highlighted that RE provides essential knowledge of diversity and difference in religious traditions, fostering religious literacy and acting as an anchor for social harmony. Professor Ogden's vision was for a society that rejoices in pluralism and diversity, bringing people together to form a unified, confident, and resilient nation.

Another significant discussion point from the conference was the update on the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) proposals for Religious Education (RE) to be included in the National Curriculum. Deborah Weston OBE and Dr Richard Kueh, lead drafters of the proposals, outlined the iterative process of engagement with various stakeholders, including teachers, religion and belief bodies, and young people. The review recommended a phased approach to bringing RE within the national curriculum framework, with stages including consensus building, drafting and testing, legislative and structural review, and implementation and support. The timeline indicated a potential for updated National Curriculum subjects to be published by 2027.

The conference also featured a presentation by Amy Ark, Senior Programme Manager for Schools, Faith and Belief Forum, on Connection over Division: Lived Experience, Belonging and RE in Social Cohesion. Ark discussed the importance of interfaith approaches and anti-racist strategies in schools, drawing on social contact theory. She emphasised that RE directly studies belief systems, explores identity, builds empathy and respect, develops critical thinking skills, and teaches how to navigate difference, connecting to real-world issues. The forum's work aims to create safe, brave, and shared spaces where everyone feels respected and included.

Faith Trails Update

The council was scheduled to receive updates on two faith trail initiatives. An update was planned for the Faith Trails in general, with a verbal report expected. Additionally, a specific update was scheduled for the Community Faith Trail, which was planned to take place on Saturday 18 July 2026. This trail was designed to explore faith, culture, and community across Tooting and Balham, with a suggested donation of £5 to support the Mayor of Wandsworth's chosen charity. The poster for this event indicated a start time of 10:30 am at the Khalsa Centre and a finish time of 4:30 pm at Balham Mandir, covering approximately 4km.

Future Meeting Dates

The council was scheduled to note the forthcoming SACRE meetings for the 2026/27 academic year. These were planned for Monday 2 November 2026 at All Saints' CE Primary School, Putney Common, London, SW15 1HL, and Monday 15 March 2027, with the venue to be confirmed. All meetings were scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm.