The Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) convened to formally establish the conference and discuss the review of the Bexley Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE). Councillor Bola Carew was appointed as chairman for the meeting. Members agreed to hold off on making any major changes to the RE curriculum until there is more clarity on the proposal to add RE to the national curriculum.

Establishment of the Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference

The conference was formally established to review the Bexley Agreed Syllabus for RE, as required by the Education Act 1996. The review process had already begun in 2024 with discussions between officers and local schools, but the formal establishment of the ASC was necessary to ensure compliance with the Act. The ASC noted that proposals for membership and working arrangements would be available at the next meeting.

Ms Rizwana Rehman, SACRE advisor, informed the ASC that a curriculum review had been published a few days prior to the meeting, discussing the proposal of adding RE into the national curriculum. She suggested that the best course of action would be to hold off and carry on as usual until something more concrete is in place, noting that changes to the national curriculum would not occur until 2028.

Councillor Howard Jackson voiced concerns about the potential for the government to control the RE curriculum, and supported Ms Rehman's suggestion to continue developing a strong local curriculum. Councillor Patrick Adams echoed these sentiments. Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson agreed with Councillor Jackson, and asked about the bridging that would be required between Bexley and the government if changes were to occur. Joan Woodam from LB Bexley, explained that while the details of the content could not be changed, the structure and teaching age of certain topics could be. Ms Rehman added that the quality of RE teaching varied, and that a strong local curriculum would be beneficial in the event of national changes.

A representative from CRiBS SLT asked whether academies would be required to adopt the RE curriculum if it were to be determined at a national level, as they are not currently required to do so. Joan Woodam responded that they were waiting for the White Paper to come through, but that it was assumed that academies would have to adopt it going forward.

The ASC agreed to hold a review meeting in January 2026.

Appointment of Chairman

Councillor Bola Carew was appointed as chairman of the ASC. Councillor Howard Jackson nominated Councillor Carew, and Councillor Janice Ward-Wilson seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. The Appointment of Chairman coversheet stated that the appointment was for the first meeting only, and that a chairman and vice-chairman would be elected for the duration of the ASC's work at the next meeting.

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Anna Day, Shadow Cabinet Member for Housing, Climate Change, Transport, Environment and Leisure, declared that her daughter works in a local Bexley school. Ms Rizwana Rehman declared that she was now the lead tutor for the RE PGCE in East London. The Declarations of Interest and Dispensations document provided guidance for members on declaring interests, including disclosable pecuniary interests and other significant interests.