The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) was scheduled to consider its annual report for the academic year 2025-26. The council was also scheduled to receive updates on Interfaith Week, the Mental Health Support Team, and national and local developments concerning Religious Education.

Annual Report for 2025-26

The SACRE was scheduled to consider and approve its annual report for the academic year 2025-26. This report, prepared in accordance with Section 391(6) of the Education Act 1996¹, was scheduled to summarise the council's activities. The report was to be presented on a template provided by the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils (NASACRE)² and, if approved, would have been submitted to the Full Council, circulated to schools, and sent to the Department for Education (DfE)³ and NASACRE.

The foreword of the report, written by Councillor Penelope Frost, Chair of SACRE for 2025-26, highlighted the changing landscape of religious belief and the anticipated integration of Religious Education (RE) into the National Curriculum. Councillor Frost expressed gratitude to the committee members, advisors from RE Today, and the Achieving for Children team for their contributions. The report also included data on religion and belief in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames⁴, showing a decrease in those identifying as Christian and an increase in those identifying as having no religion between 2011 and 2021.

The report detailed the SACRE's statutory responsibilities concerning Religious Education, including its role in advising the local authority on matters connected to religious worship and RE, reviewing the Locally Agreed Syllabus⁵, and determining requirements for Collective Worship⁶. It noted that a revised version of the Richmond Locally Agreed Syllabus for RE began being taught in schools in September 2025-26. The report also covered the standards in RE, teacher training initiatives, and the success of the Faith Direct Day event for primary school students. It stated that no complaints had been received regarding RE or Collective Worship during the 2025-26 academic year.

Interfaith Week Update

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided regarding discussions and resources shared with RE Leads in preparation for Interfaith Week. This annual event, typically held in November, aims to celebrate the diversity of faiths and beliefs within communities. The report pack indicated that resources and ideas would be disseminated through school e-newsletters and a dedicated website, with a national poetry competition also planned.

Mental Health Support Team Update

The SACRE was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the work of the Mental Health Support Team's Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Team. This update was expected to include information on the HALO Project, which is being run in partnership with Multicultural Richmond. The previous meeting's minutes indicated that the Mental Health Support Team had been seeking input from faith communities to understand potential barriers to accessing their services.

National and Local Updates

The council was scheduled to receive updates from RE Today and NASACRE, which provide resources and guidance on Religious Education. The report pack included information on national developments, such as the DfE's consultation on RE within the National Curriculum and NASACRE's webinar programme. It also highlighted the Jerusalem Trust's funding round for schools teaching Christianity and resources for understanding Islam. Updates on A Level and GCSE results for Religious Studies were also anticipated, alongside information on The National Conversation: Next Generation, a youth engagement initiative.

OFSTED and RE

A verbal update was scheduled to be provided concerning Ofsted's focus on Religious Education within its inspection framework. This update was expected to inform the SACRE about how RE is being evaluated during school inspections.