The meeting on 20 November 2024 has a busy agenda covering a range of issues relating to religious education in the borough. Items on the agenda include the ongoing review of the syllabus for religious education in Lewisham, a discussion of the national curriculum review and an update on the Jewish Life Exhibition.

Agreed Syllabus review

The meeting will discuss the Agreed Syllabus review, including an update on the budgeting and future planning for the project. This will involve a discussion of the 'standards in schools' with reference to data from MIME¹ on exam results. Attendees will also share feedback from 'homework' they have been set since the last meeting.

The Agreed Syllabus is a statutory document created by each local authority in England that details what should be taught in religious education in their area. It is drawn up by an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) made up of representatives of the Church of England, other religions, the local authority and teachers.

The Lewisham Agreed Syllabus was last adopted in 2017 meaning that under the Education Act 1996, the next review is due to be completed by 2027.

A paper from the previous meeting on 26 September 2024 shows that the relationship between the council's data team and SACRE has deteriorated since the pandemic:

Denise explained that SACRE previously would have requested data from the local authority before this was contracted to MIME, but this arrangement destabilised during the pandemic.

Curriculum Review discussion and feedback for the national consultation

Attendees will discuss the national curriculum review with reference to papers circulated separately on an email from NASACRE². NASACRE is consulting on its response to the Department for Education's call for evidence for the curriculum review, and attendees will discuss that response.

Reducing health inequalities

Minutes from the previous meeting suggest the attendees will receive a presentation from Kerry Lonergan and Lisa Fannon of the council's Public Health team about reducing health inequalities through engagement with faith groups:

Kerry Lonergan introduced the remit of Public Health, which sat within the Local Authority, as having a wide gamut looking at health inequality and the health of the local population with a view to enabling residents to have the best life possible.

Attendees will learn about the findings of the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR) and will be invited to discuss how they can work with the Public Health team to deliver the review's recommendations.

Jewish Life Exhibition

The meeting will receive an update on the Jewish Life Exhibition which the Catford Synagogue has organised. Minutes from the previous meeting suggest there have been issues with attendance:

The synagogue had received only six replies to the Launch invitation, to date.

Minutes of the previous SACRE meeting

The meeting will consider the minutes of the previous SACRE meeting which was held on 26 September 2024 at Emmanuel Church.

Information Exchange

The meeting will discuss Multifaith Resources and an online NASACRE event titled 'in conversation with NASACRE' that is scheduled to be held on 26 November 2024.

The event is an opportunity for SACRE members from across London to share their views and experiences with NASACRE, and will include discussion of the response to the Department for Education's curriculum review.

Date of next meeting

Attendees will discuss the date and venue of their next meeting, which is scheduled to be held on 12 February 2025.