The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met on Thursday 19 March 2026 to discuss the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, new guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE), and proposals for collaboration with the Richmond Faith and Belief Forum. The meeting also covered updates on national RE news and the process for nominating the SACRE Chair.

Curriculum and Assessment Review

The SACRE was scheduled to discuss the implications of the Final Report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025. This report, commissioned by the government and chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, reviewed the national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England. The report noted the importance of Religious Education (RE) but identified inconsistencies in its provision. It recommended a phased approach to reform, ultimately aiming for RE to be included in the national curriculum. The report suggested that RE should be moved to the national curriculum to improve access to high-quality provision. The SACRE was invited to consider the implications of this approach for SACREs.

The report highlighted that RE has been a compulsory subject in some form since 1944, evolving to encompass world religions after the 1988 Education Reform Act. It noted that while there are pockets of excellent practice, provision for RE in many schools is not considered adequate. The report also suggested that the statutory requirement for learners in school sixth forms to study RE should be removed, as it is inconsistent with the aim of prioritising learner choices at 16-19.

The National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on RE (NASACRE) released a statement welcoming the attention given to RE in the report. NASACRE noted the report's acknowledgement of the importance of RE for children's development and its role in fostering understanding between different beliefs. They also commented on the proposal for RE post-16 to become non-statutory, viewing it as a pragmatic decision. NASACRE expressed its intention to actively participate in the proposed staged approach to moving RE into the national curriculum.

RSHE Guidance

The SACRE was scheduled to review new statutory guidance on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) for teaching from September 2026. A draft local briefing document, RSHE Guidance 2026 – Updated and Unpacked, had been produced by the Wandsworth, Richmond, and Kingston public health teams for review and comment by the SACRE before finalisation. This document consolidates previous guidance and support materials for schools.

The updated guidance, which builds on the 2020 framework, aims to ensure children and young people receive the knowledge, skills, and confidence for healthy, respectful, and fulfilling lives. It emphasizes safeguarding, empowering pupils, and navigating a complex world influenced by digital media and evolving social norms. The guidance reinforces the importance of inclusive practice and reflects the lived experiences of children and communities. It also strengthens the requirement for schools to consult and engage with parents and carers, and to be transparent about teaching materials.

Key developments in the new guidance include a stronger emphasis on pupil engagement, transparency with parents, and a focus on positivity and relevance. It encourages primary schools to include same-sex parents when discussing families and to integrate LGBTQ+ issues throughout secondary school discussions. The guidance also addresses new and expanded content on areas such as misogyny, sexual harassment, online harms, mental health, and personal safety. Schools are expected to review their RSHE policies and curricula to align with the updated guidance, with a focus on age and stage appropriateness, and sequenced teaching.

Collaboration with Richmond Faith and Belief Forum

The SACRE was scheduled to consider a proposal for collaborative work with the Richmond Faith and Belief Forum (RFBF). The RFBF is a platform for local individuals from different belief groups to discuss shared interests. The RFBF had previously partnered with the London School of Economics Faith Centre and the Council's Climate Change team for an event exploring how faith and belief communities can support Richmond Council's ambition to become a net-zero borough. A key outcome of this event was the suggestion to collaborate with SACRE on a joint project involving young people and environmental issues through the lens of Religious Education.

The Agreed Syllabus for RE in Richmond upon Thames encourages exploration of the natural environment and climate change. The proposed joint project would aim to engage children and young people in considering how faith and belief communities can contribute to tackling climate change, potentially through initiatives like a Faith Direct Day focused on this theme. The SACRE was invited to provide suggestions for such a project or alternative collaboration opportunities.

Nomination of Chair Update

The SACRE was scheduled to receive an update on the process for nominating its Chair. Legislation dictates that the membership of a SACRE is determined by the local authority. Historically, the Chair of the Richmond SACRE has been nominated from within Group D membership. Following a discussion at the SACRE meeting on 9 October 2025 regarding potentially opening nominations to members outside of Group D, the local authority had considered the proposal. The report indicated that the authority had decided there would be no change to the current process of appointing a Chair, meaning no amendment to the SACRE's Terms of Reference would be required.

SACRE and School Complaints

The SACRE was scheduled to note the legal remit of the SACRE concerning its role in advising schools. The report explained that the purpose of a SACRE, as defined by the Education Act 1996, is to advise the local authority on matters related to religious worship and religious education. During the academic year beginning September 2025, the SACRE had received multiple complaints from a resident regarding religious education at a maintained primary school, with a request for the SACRE to intervene.

Advice from the monitoring officer indicated that, in accordance with legislation, the SACRE does not have the legal remit to consider individual complaints relating to schools. The report clarified that the day-to-day management of schools is the responsibility of their governing bodies and Headteachers, who have established procedures for handling complaints. Therefore, the SACRE was noted as not being an appropriate mechanism for addressing such complaints, which should be directed to the Chair of Governors and the Headteacher. The SACRE can offer guidance to schools but does not have enforcement powers.

NASACRE and Other Updates

The SACRE was scheduled to receive updates on national RE news and developments from NASACRE (the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on RE). This included information on the Curriculum and Assessment Review, local government reorganisation, webinars to support effective SACREs, and NASACRE's In Conversation sessions. The updates also covered the NASACRE Conference and AGM, Westhill/NASACRE Awards, shared materials, and information regarding Ramadan and Jewish Culture Month. Additionally, there were updates on National Inter Faith Week 2025 and information on whether SACREs are subscribed to NASACRE. The report also provided a list of potential items for future SACRE agendas.

The RE Today advisor provided an overview of national RE news, highlighting findings from the Curriculum and Assessment Review, which recommended RE be moved to the national curriculum. The Department for Education (DfE) stated it would be guided by the sector on this issue and would consult on a draft RE curriculum and legislative changes if sector consensus was reached. Updates were also provided on the EBacc and accountability measures, with a review of GCSE content planned. Dr. Vanessa Ogden OBE provided an update on the Expert Advisory Group for the Curriculum and Assessment Review. The report also mentioned a publication by Hannah Rich on informal religion and worldviews education and a UK Supreme Court ruling on RE and worship in Northern Ireland schools. NATRE's Secondary Survey findings were also presented, detailing issues related to staffing, teaching by non-specialists, curriculum time, and workload. Finally, information on upcoming NASACRE training sessions and RE Today courses was provided.