The Lancashire Agreed Syllabus Conference met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss the draft Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews 2026. The meeting focused on reviewing draft primary materials for the syllabus and agreeing on a plan for proofreading and providing feedback.

Draft Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews 2026

The main focus of the meeting was the ongoing development of the Draft Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews 2026. The conference reviewed draft primary materials, including the RE Syllabus 2026 Draft Contents Page, Conceptual Underpinnings, 'Same threads, different weave', an Extract from the REC Handbook, the Substantive Pillar of Progression, and sections on Commitment, Ethical considerations, and Service and Sacrifice. Examples of exemplifications for Reception and Years 1-6 were also discussed.

Attendees raised and discussed several issues, particularly concerning the inclusion of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Suggestions were made, and responded to by Alison Lloyd, Agreed Syllabus Conference Support Officer; Afrasiab Anwar, SACRE Support Officer; and Joanne Harris, RE Consultant (Secondary).

To ensure the syllabus is thoroughly reviewed, conference members and officers agreed to proofread specific sections of the draft documentation. The feedback and corrections are to be provided to Alison Lloyd by 5 January 2026, to allow for discussion at the subsequent meeting on 12 January 2026. The proofreading assignments were as follows:

• Reception: Jaspal Kooner
• Year 1: Aruna Patel
• Year 2: Dave Gorman
• Year 3: County Councillor Yousuf Motala
• Year 4: County Councillor Matthew Salter
• Year 5: Afrasiab Anwar
• Year 6: John Wilson

The conference noted the recent publication of the report from the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the accompanying NASACRE statement. While the recommendation to include Religious Education in the National Curriculum was welcomed, it was acknowledged that this would require primary legislation and could take time. The proposals, if implemented, would also impact the work of SACREs and the Agreed Syllabus Conference. However, the consensus was that work should continue on writing and implementing the new Religious Education Syllabus for Lancashire, due for September 2026.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at County Hall, Preston on Monday, 12 January 2026, at 10:00 am. The next meeting of the Agreed Syllabus Conference was scheduled for Monday, 23 February 2026, at 2:00 pm in Room CHG:06 at County Hall, Preston.

The meeting was attended by Lisa Fenton (Chair, Representing the Church of England), County Councillor Yousuf Motala (Representing Lancashire County Council), Aruna Patel (Representing the NASUWT), County Councillor Matthew Salter (Representing Lancashire County Council), and John Wilson (Representing the Church of England). Officers present included Alison Lloyd (Agreed Syllabus Conference Support Officer), Afrasiab Anwar (SACRE Support Officer), and Dave Gorman (Senior Democratic Services Officer). Joanne Harris, RE Consultant (Secondary), was also present.

It was noted that the meeting was inquorate due to the absence of a representative from Group 1 (Christian and other Religious Denominations). Therefore, it was agreed to proceed on the basis that no substantive decisions were required. Apologies were received from Ben McMullen. The minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2025 were accepted as a true and accurate record, subject to a correction to a date, pending confirmation at the next quorate meeting. No members of the press or public were present, and it was noted that they would typically be excluded from discussions on draft documents under the Religious Education (Meetings of Local Conferences and Councils) Regulations 1994.