The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) was scheduled to receive updates on local and national developments concerning Religious Education. Discussions were also planned regarding the implementation of the new Locally Agreed Syllabus and national policy changes affecting RE.

Local Updates

The council was scheduled to hear about the launch of the Locally Agreed Syllabus, which was planned for implementation from September 2026 onwards. Information was to be provided on how to access schemes of work, with a password for access. A further launch event was scheduled for September. The council was also to be informed about NASACRE's efforts to raise awareness with the Local Government Association and the Department for Education regarding the potential impact of local government reorganisation on SACREs, and guidance on this matter was to be shared.

National Updates

Updates were expected on the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which had published its report in November 2025. The council was to be informed about the draft Programmes of Study for RE, which were developed following consultation and handed to the Department for Education (DfE) in March. The timeline for the DfE's response and public consultation on these programmes, with the aim of RE being ready for the draft National Curriculum in spring 2027 for teaching from September 2028, was to be discussed.

The council was also scheduled to consider the impact of the EBacc and accountability measures on Religious Studies at GCSE. The report pack indicated that while the Curriculum and Assessment Review had initially suggested changes to address the damage inflicted by the EBacc, a revised structure under consultation proposed adding science to the breadth boxes, which could negatively affect RE. The council was to be informed about a consultation on this matter, with encouragement for SACREs to respond.

Furthermore, a new cross-government publication, Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive and resilient United Kingdom, was to be discussed. This paper reportedly highlights Religious Education as a key component of the UK's social cohesion agenda, committing to improving RE standards and considering its inclusion in the national curriculum. The role of SACREs and the use of their annual reports were also to be addressed.

Information was also scheduled to be provided on NASACRE training opportunities for SACRE members, including sessions on joining a SACRE, SACRE annual reports, and regional events. The council was to be updated on the Westhill/NASACRE Awards, with a deadline of 28 February 2027 for applications for projects promoting unity, community, and diversity, with grants available up to £12,000 for projects completed by summer 2029.

The meeting was also scheduled to include standard agenda items such as apologies, minutes from the previous meeting on Wednesday 11 March 2026, declarations of interest, and any items of late business. The date of the next meeting, Wednesday 11 November 2026, was also to be confirmed.