The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on 28 February 2024 to discuss RE learning in the borough, local and national updates, and support for RE and collective worship. Key discussions included the impact of the closure of the national Inter Faith Network, the quality of RE provision in schools, and strategies to enhance teacher training and resources.

RE Learning in the Borough

SACRE members were updated on recent RE sessions for Bromley schools. A session for secondary schools focused on helping pupils navigate discussions about the situation in the Middle East, which was well-received by the nine teachers who attended from five different schools. A primary RE session also took place, focusing on defining good RE, sharing ideas for pupil engagement, and selecting winning entries for the inter-faith calendar competition. Teachers shared innovative approaches, such as using floor books for pupils to record their thoughts and questions. The SACRE RE Adviser noted that approximately 25 schools are in regular contact, indicating a positive impact from the work on the syllabus, networks, and resources.

Local and National Updates

The council discussed the impending closure of the national Inter Faith Network (IFN) due to the government's decision not to renew its funding. This development underscored the increased importance of local networks. The SACRE RE Adviser highlighted that the Bromley IFN network overlaps with SACRE membership and suggested merging them. Plans are underway to develop REal Resources for schools, and an inter-faith workshop is being considered, with a bid for Westhill Funding to support this initiative. The deadline for this bid is 31 March 2024.

The council also reviewed an extract from the Ofsted Annual Report 2023, which indicated general disappointment with the quality of RE nationally. However, the SACRE RE Adviser reassured members that RE provision in Bromley contrasts positively with these national findings, and the Locally Agreed Syllabus is considered robust. The report prompted discussions on how schools can reflect on their RE curriculum and teaching practices. The upcoming NASACRE Conference and AGM in May 2024 was also mentioned, where the Ofsted report may be a topic of discussion.

A SACRE member noted that Church of England schools in the borough have their own primary school network. The SACRE RE Adviser expressed a desire to collaborate with the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education to link these sessions with local authority provision, believing that community schools could benefit from shared resources on collective worship and RE. A meeting is to be arranged between the SACRE RE Adviser and a representative from the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education. The school Governor survey was also mentioned as a tool for identifying schools that may not be following the Bromley RE syllabus, allowing for targeted engagement.

RE and Collective Worship Support

The results of a school Governor survey were presented, revealing that most schools do not have a named Governor for RE, although some are now considering it. A significant number of Governors expressed a desire for continued information and training on RE. The survey also highlighted that school websites should clearly state the RE curriculum taught and list the subject lead. SACRE members agreed to assist in reviewing Bromley school websites to assess the information available.

The Bromley RE Agreed Syllabus is available online, and there was a suggestion to upload examples of pupils' work to showcase achievements and promote the syllabus. A discrepancy was noted where some schools claimed to follow the Bromley Agreed Syllabus but were not doing so. The SACRE RE Adviser clarified that academies are legally obliged to follow a locally agreed syllabus unless their funding agreement states otherwise. For Church of England schools, the directive is to follow the locally agreed syllabus first, with Diocesan materials available as a secondary option.

A significant number of Governors indicated a need for RE training, leading to the suggestion of holding a dedicated session for Governors and non-teachers, potentially combined with a SACRE event demonstrating good RE. The Local Authority's Governor Forums and Briefings were identified as potential venues for such training. The council also discussed the possibility of a wider community event to showcase religions and worldviews, referencing the success of the school Special Objects Project. The need to engage more with Headteachers was also highlighted, with the potential for a Headteacher survey in the future. The LBB Head of Educational Effectiveness suggested linking with school leaders through existing networks, such as the well-attended mental health forum.

To raise awareness of SACRE's work, it was agreed that the SACRE RE Adviser would record an introductory video featuring SACRE members. A meeting is to be arranged between the Chairman, LBB Head of Educational Effectiveness, LBB Head of School Standards, and the SACRE RE Adviser to discuss these proposals further.

Interfaith Dialogue Resources

The Special Objects Project, involving several Bromley schools, received positive feedback and was featured as the Research of the Month by the Culham St Gabriel's Trust. The project team has been invited to speak at two national conferences. The winners of the inter-faith calendar competition were selected, with submissions representing a range of schools and year groups. A list of religious and non-religious events and festivals will be drafted and sent to faith representatives for verification before the calendar is finalised.

SACRE Action Plan

An updated SACRE Action Plan for September 2023-September 2024 was presented, with completed actions marked in green. The plan will be updated to include the review of school websites, the production of a video about SACRE's role, and the proposed inter-faith workshop event.