The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) for Staffordshire Council met on Wednesday 24 June 2026. Key discussions included an update on the West Hill Legacy Project, support for schools, and the impact of the new Ofsted framework on Religious Education (RE). The council also reviewed GCSE and A-level results in RE and RS for Staffordshire schools, noting an improvement in A-level outcomes while GCSE results continue to lag behind the national average.

Key Issues and Support for Schools

Mary Gale, the advisor to SACRE, presented an update on the West Hill Legacy Project, which aims to engage pupils with the agreed syllabus through workshops. Since September 2025, approximately 12 schools have benefited from these workshops, with four more booked for the autumn term. The project has received positive feedback from schools, with pupils asking insightful questions about Islam and other faiths.

Support for schools has also been a significant focus. Mary Gale has provided assistance to two schools since the last meeting, offering guidance on resources, planning, worship ideas, and Ofsted preparation. One school, Fierte Academy Garden Village Primary School, received specific support in establishing its RE provision, with an evaluation highlighting the positive impact on staff knowledge and curriculum planning.

The council was informed about the ongoing curriculum and assessment review, which supports the recommendation of making RE a core part of the National Curriculum. Staffordshire's current Agreed Syllabus, developed by SACRE, aligns with these proposed changes and will remain statutory until 2028. Schools are encouraged to ensure RE is included in their teaching week, in line with the Agreed Syllabus.

Free half-day workshops on Islam, funded by SACRE, are available to schools for the autumn term, with paid workshops also on offer. Additionally, subsidised training for governors, trustees, and leaders on Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) aspects related to RE is available.

The council was also reminded of the RE Hubs website, which provides access to vetted speakers from various faiths and non-faith backgrounds for schools.

National Association of SACRE (NASACRE) Update

Lynsay Jennings, representing the Church of England, provided a report from the NASACRE Summer Conference. Key themes included the importance of RE for fostering dialogue and understanding, and the ongoing proposals for RE to become part of the National Curriculum. Dr Vanessa Ogden, CEO of Mulberry Schools Trust, emphasised the role of SACREs in raising the profile of RE and providing resources and links to religious communities. Deborah Weston, chair of the REC policy unit, discussed the potential inclusion of RE in the National Curriculum, noting that while the timeline is short, the role of SACREs in supporting teachers and leaders would continue. Amy Ark from the Faith and Belief Forum highlighted their work in encouraging dialogue and providing resources for RE teaching.

Possible actions for Staffordshire SACRE arising from the conference include continuing to role-model positive interaction between faith groups, creating and sign-posting resources for RE provision, and making schools aware of the Faith Forum and its work. The development of a list of faith visitors and suitable places of worship for school visits was also suggested.

Mary Gale also shared Staffordshire SACRE's work on EDI training for schools at a NASACRE online workshop.

GCSE and A-Level Results

An update on GCSE and A-level results in RE and RS for 2025 was presented. Staffordshire's GCSE results for Religious Studies showed that 60% of students achieved grades 9-4, which was 10.9% lower than the England average. This represents a further decline compared to pre-pandemic results. However, A-level results showed improvement, with Staffordshire schools now in line with or above the national average for top grades. Several schools, including Painsley Catholic College and John Taylor High School, were highlighted for their strong A-level performance.

Useful Website Information and Budget

Members were provided with a list of useful websites for schools and SACRE members, including the Entrust RE website, the SACRE website, RE Hubs, NATRE, Oak National Academy, NASACRE, and DfE guidance.

The SACRE budget for 2026-2027 has been increased to £7,900, an increase of £240 from the previous year. The council spent its entire 2025-2026 budget, with £5,130 remaining for future expenditure on workshops, training, and linking schools projects.

Development Plan and Variation of Practice

The SACRE Development Plan for 2026 was reviewed, outlining objectives such as familiarising new members with their roles, scrutinising RE standards, supporting the Agreed Syllabus, and engaging with RE Hubs and stakeholders.

There were no applications received for variation of practice regarding collective worship or RE.

Reflection

During the reflection session, members shared their personal thoughts on the meeting. Sarah March, representing the Faith and Belief Forum, noted the connections between her work and the discussions on school results and awards. She also shared details about Interfaith Week and invited members to get involved in working groups and a poetry competition. The positive impact of the children's questions and feedback was highlighted, and the usefulness of the introductions at the start of the meeting was acknowledged. The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 11 November 2026, which falls during Interfaith Week, with plans to incorporate this into the meeting's activities.