The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) of Wandsworth Council met on Monday 26 January 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of the SACRE's annual report, discussions on the national curriculum for Religious Education (RE), and an update on proposed public faith walks.

SACRE Annual Report 2024/25

The council was scheduled to consider the SACRE Annual Report for the academic year 2024/25. This report, detailed in the SACRE Annual Report 2024-25, outlines the council's activities and achievements over the past year. It covers aspects such as meetings held, membership changes, and contributions to Religious Education (RE) and collective worship within Wandsworth schools. The report highlights the council's work in supporting RE subject leaders, producing newsletters, and facilitating Faith Trails for primary school pupils. It also includes data on Religious Studies examination results for 2024/25, as presented in the SACRE Annual Report Attainment Data 2024-25.

RE Curriculum and Assessment Review

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the findings of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, specifically focusing on Religious Education. The council was to consider an abridged version of the report, titled CA Review Final Report Abridged, and watch a related video. The full report, Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report - Building a World-Class Curriculum for All, recommends that RE should be moved to the national curriculum. It suggests a staged approach to reform, including the establishment of a task and finish group to develop a draft RE curriculum and a review of the legislative framework surrounding RE. The report also proposes removing the statutory requirement for learners in school sixth forms to study RE.

Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) Guidance

The council was scheduled to discuss updated draft guidance for Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) for Wandsworth schools. This guidance, detailed in the Briefing Sheet for Wandsworth and the Draft G2GV2 for Steering Group Dec 2025, aligns with new Department for Education (DfE) statutory guidance for implementation from September 2026. The updated guidance places a stronger emphasis on pupil engagement, transparency with parents, and positivity and relevance in teaching. It includes new or expanded content on areas such as misogyny, sexual harassment, online harms, and mental health. The briefing highlights the importance of schools being careful not to endorse particular views on gender identity and stresses the need for factual teaching based on the law.

Northern Ireland RE Supreme Court Ruling

The council was to discuss the implications of a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning Religious Education in Northern Ireland. The NI RE Supreme Court Case document summarises the ruling, which found that the Christian-focused RE taught in Northern Ireland schools was unlawful. The Supreme Court determined that the current syllabus was not approached in an objective, critical and pluralistic manner and amounted to indoctrination. The ruling is expected to lead to pupils being taught more about other faiths alongside Christianity.

Proposed Public Faith Trails Update

An update was scheduled regarding proposed public Faith Trails in Wandsworth. The Public Faith Walk Considerations document outlines the background and key points from similar initiatives in Merton. These walks typically involve participants visiting various places of worship, with a small charge often levied to support a local homeless charity. The document suggests potential routes in Wandsworth, incorporating known venues from primary faith trails and considering locations such as the Town Hall, Friends Meeting House, Southfields Gurdwara, El Fazl Mosque, St Paul's Church, Wimbledon Synagogue, and the Buddhapadipa Temple. The proposal also suggests involving Wandsworth's PR/Comms team, Brightside.

The meeting was also scheduled to include updates on SACRE membership and future meeting dates.