The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) will be holding a meeting to discuss a range of issues, including a review of their annual report, an update from the Education Achievement Service (EAS)/RVE partner, and the terms of reference for Blaenau Gwent (BG) SACRE. The meeting will also include a presentation from Rhiannon Youssef.

Here are the topics that are scheduled to be discussed:

Annual Report Review

The meeting will include a review of the Annual Report, which contains an overview of the work of Blaenau Gwent SACRE/SAC. The report includes:

• A message from Blaenau Gwent SACRE/SAC thanking those working in education for supporting children and young people in Wales. It notes that schools are continuing to embed the Curriculum for Wales¹, with Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) playing a key role.
• An executive summary of advice given to the local authority by SACRE/SAC.
• Details of advice on Religious Education/Religion, Values and Ethics, including the locally agreed syllabus², standards in RE, and methods of teaching.
• Information on collective worship, including school inspection reports and applications for determinations³.

• Updates on other issues such as WASACRE⁴, Holocaust Education, and the Curriculum for Wales 2022. The annual report also contains several appendices, including:

• A membership list for Blaenau Gwent SACRE/SAC.

• A schedule and agenda of meetings.

• Details of how the report is circulated.

Presentation

Rhiannon Youssef is scheduled to give a presentation. The subject of the presentation is not specified in the agenda.

EAS/RVE Partner Update

Hayley Jones, School Improvement Officer and EAS Curriculum Partner for RVE and SAC, is expected to provide an update on the Education Achievement Service (EAS)/RVE partnership. The EAS supports curriculum design across the region, with a focus on Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE). According to the Public reports pack:

In 2024–2025, the Curriculum Partner for RVE and SACRE/SAC provided tailored support across the region, helping schools strengthen their understanding of the Curriculum for Wales and design their RVE curriculum within the Humanities Area.

Review of Terms of Reference

The meeting will include a review of the terms of reference for BG SACRE. The terms of reference define the purpose, membership, and responsibilities of the SACRE.

WASACRE Business

The meeting agenda includes an item to discuss WASACRE business. WASACRE provides guidance and resources for RE, RVE, and collective worship.

WJEC Update

The meeting agenda includes an item for a WJEC⁵ update. The Public reports pack notes that in a previous meeting, the SACRE Advisor confirmed that 12 national events had been held across Wales providing further training for RVE, and that a new exam had been published with resources available through the WJEC website.