The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss a range of topics concerning religious education in Northumberland schools. Key discussions were scheduled to include updates on training provision, the SACRE development plan, and examination results. The council was also set to review preparations for significant national awareness days.

Tributes to Deanna Van Der Velde

The meeting was scheduled to begin with tributes to Deanna Van Der Velde.

Presentation on Resources

Members were due to receive a presentation on resources for religious education from David Priestley, Director of the North East Religious Resources Centre.

Work in Progress

A significant portion of the meeting was allocated to reviewing the ongoing work of the SACRE. This included:

• Update of Contacts with Schools and Training Provision: An update was scheduled regarding the provision of Religious Education (RE) in-service training and the council's engagement with schools. This would include a reminder of the website link for resources: www.northumberlandeducation.co.uk/RE.
• NASACRE Conference: Members were to receive an update following the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE) conference.
• SACRE Development Plan: The council was scheduled to review and discuss the Northumberland SACRE Development Plan for 2025/26. This plan outlines objectives such as supporting RE Hubs, encouraging member participation, and evaluating the SACRE webpage.
• Survey to Schools: An update was expected on the progress of a survey sent to schools. The report pack indicated that only one response had been received initially, with plans to re-advertise and promote the survey. The survey aimed to gather information on training needs, responses to assessment and curriculum reviews, and demand for conferences.
• Excellence in RE Award: Discussions were planned regarding the establishment of a SACRE Excellence Award for schools and pupils. Draft criteria for the school award, focusing on leadership, teaching, learning, engagement, progress, and the local context of religion and worldviews, were included in the report pack.
• Support for Collective Worship: The council was set to discuss the support SACRE can offer regarding Collective Worship in schools. Plans for primary teachers to assist with Collective Worship were to be reviewed, with a view to developing a plan for the academic year 2026/27.
• Westhill Funding Bid: A discussion was scheduled concerning Northumberland SACRE submitting a bid for Westhill Funding. The development plan indicated that a proposal would be scrutinised in spring 2027, with the full bid to be presented and agreed in November 2026 before submission the following year.
• Interfaith Week: Preparations for Interfaith Week, scheduled for 8-15 November 2026, were to be discussed.
• Holocaust Memorial Day: Preparations for Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2027, with the theme No Place for Prejudice, were also on the agenda.
• Training Available to SACRE: Members were to note future training dates and discuss any completed training sessions. A training session titled So you've joined your local SACRE was scheduled for 25 June 2026.

Examination Results 2025

SACRE members were scheduled to receive and discuss the examination results for Religious Education in 2025 for both Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. The report pack provided detailed breakdowns of results for various schools across Northumberland, comparing them to national averages. For Key Stage 4, the data showed that Northumberland schools' results remained below the national average in 2025, although there had been year-on-year improvements. For Key Stage 5, Northumberland exceeded national averages at A*-C and A* - E grades, despite fewer pupils achieving A*/A grades than nationally.

Dates of Future Meetings

The council was scheduled to agree the dates for future meetings for the academic years 2026-27 and 2027-28.