The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) was scheduled to consider arrangements for its annual report, receive updates on Religious Education (RE) matters, and review a determination application from a local primary school. The meeting was also scheduled to address national developments in RE and updates from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE).

SACRE Annual Report 2025-26

The council was scheduled to review the arrangements for the production of the 2025-26 Brent SACRE Annual Report. This report, due to the Department for Education by 30 December 2026, covers the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026. Decisions were to be made regarding the revised national framework, a target submission date of 18 December, and the process for drafting, checking, and approving the final report, including how approval could occur between meetings. The council was also scheduled to confirm who would send the approved report to the Secretary of State for Education, share it with NASACRE, and arrange for its local publication. Contributors were expected to provide specific evidence, including school totals, GCSE and A-level results, workforce data, meeting attendance, membership details, and financial information related to the adviser and clerking provision.

RE Update

An update was scheduled to be received from the SACRE Advisor, Nadia Nadeem, on general SACRE and RE-related issues. This update was expected to cover national developments, including the Department for Education's intention to include Religious Education in the National Curriculum for the first time. This reform aims to establish a stronger national entitlement for RE, with the revised curriculum anticipated from September 2028. The update was also scheduled to highlight the continuing role of SACREs during this transition period, focusing on providing local advice, supporting collective worship, maintaining community links, and assisting schools with RE delivery. Schools were to be encouraged to review their current provision and undertake curriculum audits. The update was also to address issues relating to teacher confidence and subject knowledge, with an emphasis on the importance of cross-phase RE network meetings. Members were scheduled to seek clarification on opportunities for faith communities to contribute to the forthcoming national curriculum consultation and explore ways to strengthen links between schools and local faith communities.

Determinations

The council was scheduled to review a determination application submitted by Elsley Primary School. The report pack indicated that members were asked to review this application, with the full details of the application to follow.

NASACRE Update

An update from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) was scheduled to be considered, provided by the SACRE Advisor. This update was expected to include feedback from the NASACRE Annual Conference 2026, with a key theme being the role of SACREs in promoting social harmony and community cohesion. The conference discussions were anticipated to highlight the value of high-quality RE in developing religious literacy, empathy, and respect for diversity. The update was also to address ongoing developments in national curriculum reform and the importance of ensuring that future changes appropriately recognised the continuing role of SACREs, Local Authorities, schools, and faith communities. Members were scheduled to note and support the view that SACREs should be increasingly seen as community connectors, playing a key role in supporting schools to develop belonging, religious literacy, and respectful dialogue. The update was also to highlight the Dangoor Awards, which recognise innovative interfaith and RE initiatives, and suggest that SACRE might consider developing projects eligible for future recognition.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

The council was scheduled to confirm Bhupinder Bhasin as the SACRE Chair and Dr. Karishma Koka Kavita as the SACRE Vice-Chair, following their appointment at the previous meeting.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes from the last SACRE meeting, held on Monday 20 July 2026, were scheduled to be considered and approved.

Any Other Business

Under this item, the council was scheduled to note the dates of upcoming SACRE meetings.