The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss school collective worship determinations, updates from national bodies, and the council's priorities for the upcoming year. The meeting also included discussions on interfaith initiatives and national developments in religious education.

School Collective Worship Determinations

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering applications for determinations regarding collective worship in schools. These determinations allow schools to deviate from the requirement that collective worship be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character, enabling them to tailor worship to their diverse student populations.

• Rhyl Community Primary School applied for a determination renewal. The school's analysis of religious affiliation showed a decrease in Christian pupils and a continued high number of Muslim pupils. The school's policy outlines aims to foster pupils' moral, social, spiritual, and cultural development, encouraging respect for differences and providing opportunities for reflection. The planned assemblies for Autumn 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 indicate a focus on themes such as British Values, Rights Respecting School expectations, global goals, and various religious and cultural festivals. An observation of a collective worship session at Rhyl Primary School noted a calm atmosphere, respectful pupil behaviour, and a well-structured assembly that explored the significance of the Red Cross and Red Crescent symbols, incorporating stories from different religious traditions.

• Regent High School also sought a determination renewal. The school's data indicated a significant Muslim pupil population (75.1%) alongside a Christian population (13.0%) and a notable percentage of pupils with no religion (8.2%). The school's policy emphasizes collective worship as an opportunity for reflection, stillness, personal growth, and community values, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of diversity. The planned themes for the academic year included topics such as belonging, respect, mental health, anti-bullying, and human rights. An observation of a Year 7 assembly focused on the theme of responsibility, with the headteacher providing guidance on revision strategies and the importance of making responsible choices.

• Torriano Primary School and Brecknock Primary School, which operate under a Federation, also applied for determination renewals. Their collective worship policy highlights an inclusive, non-denominational approach that promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, integrating UNCRC principles and celebrating diversity. The data for Torriano Primary School showed a significant increase in pupils identifying as having no religion (50.11%), making it the largest group. Brecknock Primary School noted a shift towards a higher proportion of Muslim pupils and a decrease in Christian pupils. Both schools' plans for collective worship incorporate themes linked to values, UNCRC rights, and cultural events, with assemblies designed to be inclusive of all faiths and beliefs.

Faith Forum Update

A representative from the Camden Faith Forum was scheduled to provide a verbal update on their recent activities, including interfaith events and support initiatives. Feedback was anticipated on how Camden SACRE could further support the Faith Forum's work.

Update on National Association of SACRE (NASACRE) Conference 2026

Sarah Richardson, SACRE Chair, and Claire Clinton, SACRE RE Professional Advisor, were expected to give a verbal update on the NASACRE Conference held in Liverpool. This update was to include insights from any Camden SACRE members who attended workshops at the conference.

Camden SACRE Priorities 2025-26

A report outlining Camden SACRE's priorities for the 2025-26 academic year was presented for discussion. Members were invited to provide feedback on how they could contribute to the outlined actions, with the document intended to serve as a live record of ongoing work. The priorities included the production of the annual report, ensuring access to the Agreed Syllabus, continuing primary and secondary RE network meetings, membership recruitment, and professional development for SACRE members.

Camden RE Newsletter & Networks

The RE Professional Advisor was to share the content of the termly newsletter and details from recent meetings with RE leads in Camden. This included the Summer term newsletter and minutes from the Spring term meetings for both Primary and Secondary RE Network meetings. These documents provided updates on national and local RE news, resources, and professional development opportunities.

2026 Interfaith Primary Camden Conferences Evaluation Results

An evaluation of the 2026 Interfaith Primary Camden Conferences was presented. The report detailed feedback from teachers regarding what their pupils had learned about community and what aspects of the day teachers had enjoyed and could take away for their own teaching practice. The data highlighted the attendance figures, the number of schools and religion/belief leaders involved, and the creation of films and resources to support schools in re-running similar events.

National Updates

The RE Professional Advisor was scheduled to provide verbal updates on national developments relevant to RE and Collective Worship. This included information on the Curriculum & Assessment Review (CaAR) and ongoing reviews by the Department for Education (DfE) concerning collective worship. Feedback was sought from SACRE members on how the council could enhance its understanding of national issues and developments.