The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) of Lincolnshire Council met on Tuesday 28 April 2026 to discuss updates on the locally agreed syllabus, analyses of recent inspection reports, and the council's action plan. The meeting also included a review of workforce data for secondary schools.

Update on Locally Agreed Syllabus

The council was scheduled to receive an update on the implementation of the revised Lincolnshire locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education (RE). This syllabus, launched in July 2025, is expected to be adopted by local authority maintained schools by September 2026. The report pack indicated that training and support programmes have been developed to assist schools in adapting to the new syllabus, with a combination of online sessions and network meetings offered. Feedback from these sessions suggested that attendees found the training helpful in increasing their confidence in using the syllabus. However, some teachers expressed concerns about the amount of compulsory knowledge required by the syllabus and its accessibility for mixed-age classes. There were also comments about the syllabus being prescriptive in some areas and the challenges of translating its content into accessible lessons for primary school pupils.

Analysis of Ofsted Reports

A review of Ofsted published reports for Lincolnshire schools between October 2025 and February 2026 was scheduled for discussion. The analysis covered eight primary and two secondary schools inspected during this period. The report indicated that the majority of schools received positive comments regarding pupils' understanding of respect, tolerance, and diversity. However, one community primary school in Grantham was highlighted for having weaker knowledge and understanding of religion and worldviews. The report also noted that one of the two secondary schools inspected offered GCSE Religious Studies as an optional subject at Key Stage 4, meaning students who did not opt for it did not have RE as part of their curriculum, which was identified as a potential breach of the academy's funding agreement.

Analysis of SIAMS Inspections

The council was set to consider an analysis of SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection reports for Church of England and Methodist schools in Lincolnshire during the 2025-26 academic year. The focus was on comments relating to collective worship and RE. The reports indicated that all inspected Anglican and Methodist schools met their legal foundation requirements. Key findings highlighted that RE is often well-resourced and expertly led in these schools, with a focus on a balanced study of Christianity and other worldviews. Collective worship was frequently described as a valued and meaningful time for spiritual growth. However, some development points were noted, such as creating opportunities for deeper reflection on Christian narratives and enhancing pupils' understanding of the diversity within religions and worldviews.

Analysis of Catholic School Inspections

An analysis of published inspection reports for Catholic schools in Lincolnshire from the 2025-26 academic year was also on the agenda. These inspections, conducted by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate, assess compliance with the Catholic Religious Education Directory. The report indicated that Catholic schools in Lincolnshire generally deliver RE from a Catholic perspective, introducing other religions within that framework. St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy in Grantham received a Good rating in its diocesan inspection. The report noted that Catholic School Inspections focus on compliance with diocesan requirements for teaching RE, rather than the overall quality of the RE curriculum, which falls under Ofsted's remit.

Lincolnshire SACRE Annual Report 2024-25

The council was scheduled to approve the Lincolnshire SACRE Annual Report for 2024-25. This report details the council's activities and findings over the academic year, including updates on regional and national RE developments, monitoring of compliance, examination data, and the progress of the agreed syllabus revision. The report highlighted that 3,435 students across Lincolnshire were entered for GCSE Religious Studies, with 56.6% achieving a strong pass (Grade 5 or above). It also noted the retirement of the local authority RE Adviser, Wendy Harrison, and the appointment of Gillian Georgiou as interim RE Adviser.

Workforce Census Data Analysis

A review of workforce census data from Lincolnshire secondary schools was planned. This data provides insights into the provision and impact of RE within these schools. The analysis indicated that only one Lincolnshire secondary school was compliant with the expectation of providing a minimum of 5% curriculum time for RE across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. Seventeen schools were noted as entering at least 45% of their Key Stage 4 cohort into a GCSE qualification in Religious Studies, though the provision for the remaining students was not detailed. The report also highlighted that eleven Lincolnshire secondary schools reported no provision of RE in Year 11, which is a breach of statutory duties.

SACRE Action Plan 2025-26

The council was set to consider the SACRE Action Plan for 2025-26. Key priorities included ensuring schools have access to high-quality RE training and support, actively seeking teacher and pupil feedback on the provision and impact of RE, and producing regionally specific case studies for use in Lincolnshire schools. The plan also aimed to strengthen the partnership between SACRE, the Local Authority, and other stakeholders. The update indicated that training feedback surveys showed high levels of helpfulness, and a significant percentage of local authority schools had provided feedback on the new syllabus. The development of case studies rooted in local religious and non-religious worldviews was also progressing.

SACRE Work Programme

The council was scheduled to review the SACRE Work Programme. This outlined planned agenda items for future meetings, including analysis of Ofsted, SIAMS, and Catholic School inspection reports, as well as updates on the action plan and the NASACRE conference. The programme also indicated a need to program items related to the election of the Chair and Vice-Chair.