The Kent Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) met to discuss the development plan, budget, and annual report, as well as other items related to religious education in Kent schools. A key topic for discussion was the Kent Agreed Syllabus, which is due for review in 2027. The meeting also included updates on school website reviews, local network groups, and the WIRE Awards¹.

Kent Agreed Syllabus

The report pack included a discussion of the Kent Agreed Syllabus, which is due for review in September 2027. The syllabus is purchased from RE Today, and SACRE has a duty to review it every five years. The report pack noted that renewing the license for the existing syllabus would cost around £22,512.

A one-year extension for the syllabus licence is available at a cost of £4502.00 which would give time for us to see if the Curriculum and Assessment review by the DfE gives any advice on a national curriculum.

The report pack also mentioned that if the government introduces a national syllabus, it would likely resemble the RE Today syllabus, as around half the SACREs in the country use it.

Local Government Reorganisation

The report pack included advice for SACREs regarding local government reorganisation. The government has announced a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas and unitary councils. According to the report pack, this reorganisation has the potential to significantly affect 42 SACREs. The report pack included a table that set out the timeline for local authorities in different waves of the reorganisation. Kent County Council is listed as being in the third wave, with final proposals due by 28 November 2025.

The report pack stated that on the date the new authority 'goes live', the new authority will have a statutory duty to:

• Establish and support a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
• Convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) to determine the local Agreed Syllabus for RE and review it at least every five years.
• Provide maintained schools with clear guidance and access to the current Agreed Syllabus for RE and arrangements for collective worship, including determinations.
• Take note of, and respond to, advice from the SACRE.

The WIRE Awards

The WIRE Awards were scheduled to be discussed. The report pack included evidence from Lunsford Primary School relating to their application for a WIRE award. The evidence included details of:

• Attendance at an RE network meeting.
• A visit by Year 5 pupils to Holy Trinity Church and Larkfield Methodist Church.
• A visit to Year 6 Zebra Class by Nicky Younosi, a representative of the Muslim faith.
• A virtual visit to Year 3 Lion Class by Anne Goldstein, who is Jewish.
• The school's entry to the 2025 Spirited Arts Competition.

The report pack also included a list of schools that have received Kent WIRE awards in previous years.

Development Plan

The meeting included a discussion of the Development Plan for 2024-25 and 2025-26. The plan includes priority objectives such as advising the local authority on religious education, supporting collective worship in schools, and raising the profile of Kent SACRE.

Budget Update

The report pack included a budget update for 2025-26. The estimated budget was £5,000.