The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) is scheduled to meet on Monday 22 June 2026. The meeting agenda includes discussions on feedback from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) conference and updates on community faith trails.

NASACRE Conference Feedback

The council is scheduled to discuss documents from the National Association of SACREs (NASACRE) conference. The conference, held on 18 May 2026, featured discussions on the role of SACREs in building social harmony and the potential for Religious Education (RE) to be included in the National Curriculum. Professor Vanessa Ogden CBE, Honorary Professor at University College London and Regional Director for London for the Department for Education (DfE), spoke about the nation-building role of schools and how RE can foster social cohesion. She highlighted that RE is an academic subject, and high-quality teaching of RE is essential to provide the rich knowledge base we need young people to leave school with. ¹

The conference also addressed the CaAR proposals for RE to be in the NC ², with Deborah Weston OBE and Dr Richard Kueh presenting on the review process. They noted that the Department for Education (DfE) has been grateful for the collaboration and understands the importance of the subject. The timeline for potential changes, if RE is included in the National Curriculum, is noted as potentially leading to new updated standards by 2027.

Amy Ark, Senior Programme Manager for Schools at the Faith and Belief Forum, discussed Connection over division: lived experience, belonging and RE in social cohesion. ³ Her presentation focused on how RE can help build empathy, respect, and critical thinking skills, enabling young people to navigate difference. The Faith and Belief Forum's approach is based on social contact theory, aiming to foster positive encounters and reduce unkindness.

Community Faith Trail Update

An update is scheduled regarding the Community Faith Trail, which is planned to take place on Saturday 18 July 2026. The trail aims to allow participants to Explore faith, culture and community across Tooting and Balham. ⁴ The event is scheduled to start at 10:30 am at the Khalsa Centre, Upper Tooting Road, and finish at 4:30 pm at Balham Mandir, Balham High Road. A suggested donation of £5 is requested in support of the Mayor of Wandsworth's chosen charity. The poster for the event indicates that children are welcome with an accompanying adult, and respectful clothing is requested, with head coverings needed for some venues. The walk is approximately 4km, and participants can join for all or part of the day.

Future Meeting Dates

The council is also scheduled to note forthcoming SACRE meetings for the 2026/27 academic year. These include a meeting on Monday 2 November 2026 at All Saints' CE Primary School, Putney Common, London, SW15 1HL, and another on Monday 15 March 2027, with the venue to be confirmed. All meetings are scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm.