The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss the Agreed Syllabus Conference, the NASACRE Code of Conduct, and the annual report for 2024-2025. The meeting also included a personal perspective on lived experience and an update from Education Durham.

Agreed Syllabus Conference

The report pack indicated that the Agreed Syllabus Conference was scheduled to discuss its role and the implications of national developments in Religious Education (RE). This included consideration of the National Content Standard for Religious Education in England, published by the RE Council. The discussion was expected to explore how the current Durham Agreed Syllabus aligns with this national standard and whether an addendum or bridging document would be more appropriate than a full rewrite. The potential for RE to become part of a national curriculum was also a key point, with the understanding that Education Durham would not fund the production of an entirely new Agreed Syllabus at this time.

NASACRE Code of Conduct and Updates

The meeting was scheduled to review the NASACRE Code of Conduct, which outlines the Seven Principles of Public Life (Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty, and Leadership) as they apply to SACRE members. The code also details expectations for SACRE members regarding participation in meetings, respectful dialogue, and school visits. Updates from NASACRE (the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education) were also on the agenda, likely covering national developments and best practices in RE.

Annual Report 2024-2025

The Annual Report for 2024-2025 was presented, providing an overview of SACRE's work during the academic year. The report detailed Durham's context, including its geography, education landscape, and religious demographics, noting a higher percentage of Christian residents compared to regional and national statistics. It outlined SACRE's membership, support arrangements provided by Durham County Council, and a summary of meeting content. The report also covered statutory responsibilities related to the locally Agreed Syllabus, standards and monitoring of RE and collective worship, teacher training, and links with other bodies. Appendices included KS4 and KS5 attainment and progress charts for the summer 2024 examination season.

Education Durham Report to SACRE

A report from Education Durham was scheduled to be presented, including statistics on networks and courses for teachers, references to RE in Ofsted reports under the new framework, and an explanation of an anomaly in KS4 'actual' and 'value-added' outcomes. The report also proposed an opportunity for SACRE to lead a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) day for schools, focusing on a Religion and Worldviews approach and teaching non-religious worldviews. Progress from the Local Authority representative group was also to be discussed.

My Lived Experience: A Personal Perspective

The agenda included a session titled My Lived Experience: A Personal Perspective. This was an opportunity for an individual to share their personal insights and experiences, likely related to their faith or worldview, offering a personal dimension to the council's discussions.

Future Meetings

The meeting was also scheduled to confirm the dates and venues for future SACRE meetings.