The Bexley Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, to discuss local and national updates concerning Religious Education, review SACRE membership, and address examination data. Key discussions included the impact of new Ofsted inspection frameworks, a decline in GCSE and A-level Religious Education entries, and national policy developments affecting RE.

Local and National Updates

Joan Woodham, Head of Education Improvement and Partnerships, provided an update on Ofsted inspections and the new inspection framework. She noted that while teachers reported less pressure, senior leaders felt increased pressure. The new framework's categorisation of attendance and behaviour under a single judgement was questioned, with Ofsted looking into this. Support for schools needing improvement was discussed, with acknowledgement that as many schools are now academies, financial support is limited, though at-risk academies receive non-financial assistance from the local authority.

Regarding GCSE and A-level examination data, it was reported that Bexley's GCSE performance remained above the national average, but there was a drop in both GCSE and A-level RE entries. One school had ceased offering A-level RE. The possibility of schools collaborating to teach RE to small cohorts was deemed difficult due to the academy system and potential issues with results data allocation. Jenny Kaur and Paige Irving highlighted that while their schools had high RE uptake, the introduction of subjects like Psychology had halved numbers. Efforts are underway to rebrand RE and demonstrate its connection to social sciences. Rizwana Rehman, the local RE advisor, mentioned that the grading for RE is contentious and she is challenging exam boards on this.

Rizwana Rehman also reported on the finalisation of the Agreed Syllabus, which will include guidance for teaching students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND/ALN). A platform for all resources will be available upon the syllabus launch. Nationally, a policy paper on resilience in the UK highlighted RE's role in social cohesion. The government is developing materials for RE to become a national curriculum subject, with a focus on infrastructure and non-faith elements, expected by 2028-29.

A new local initiative, 'Best Start in Life', focusing on supporting children aged 0-5 and their families through community involvement, was introduced. Faith groups were identified as key partners in reaching families, particularly those not yet in school or nurseries. Councillor Rags Sandhu highlighted the Bexley Interfaith Forum as a valuable platform for community engagement within this programme.

SACRE Membership Review

Councillor Bola Carew, Chairman of SACRE, informed members that those in Groups A, B, and C were asked to complete review forms regarding their willingness to serve for another term. These forms were to be submitted to the Committee Clerk.

Examination Data and Future of RE

The decline in RE entries at both GCSE and A-level was a significant concern. Members discussed strategies to encourage uptake, including highlighting positive exam results and the subject's relevance to social sciences. However, the challenge of promising grades to students was noted. Rizwana Rehman is actively engaging with exam boards regarding grading issues.

The future of RE was also discussed in the context of national developments. Dr. Vanessa Ogden OBE's update on the Curriculum and Assessment Review indicated the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group for RE. Additionally, the Culham St Gabriel's Trust has drafted an open letter to the Department for Education expressing concern over the lack of funding for initial teacher education bursaries and subject knowledge enhancement for RE teachers. The importance of RE for community cohesion and thoughtful engagement with diverse beliefs in a pluralistic society was emphasised.

Bexley Ramadan Guidance

Bexley has issued Ramadan guidance for schools to support students and staff during the holy month, which began in the third week of February. This guidance was developed in conjunction with schools to address real-life situations.

Upcoming Professional Development

Several professional development opportunities were highlighted:

• 18 March 2026: Adaptive teaching in RE: Making Learning inclusive for pupils with SEND/ALN (Online) by Jigsaw Learning.
• 12 March 2026: Climate, Ecology, Curriculum: Learning to Lead exploring RE's role in the climate and ecological emergency.
• 12 May 2026: Exploring Sikh Worldviews through authentic voices to develop confidence in teaching about Sikhi.
• 2 July 2026: Showcasing Teacher Research where scholars will present insights from their research projects.

RE Network Meetings

The next RE network meeting was scheduled for 4 March 2026, focusing on the experiences of using the new Bexley Locally Agreed Syllabus and finalising its publication. Feedback from this meeting will inform summer term in-service training. Efforts are also being made to revitalise secondary RE network meetings. Rizwana Rehman is the contact for further information on these networks.