SACRE

Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

What is a SACRE?

SACRE is a council which is set up by each Local Authority.

What does a SACRE do?

It is required by law that Religious Education (RE) be taught in schools, but RE is not part of the National Curriculum, instead RE is a local responsibility. SACRE oversees RE and collective worship in Community Schools.

Who makes up a SACRE?

There are 4 committees on a SACRE:

Committee A: Representatives of religious groups other than the Church of England;

Committee B: Representatives of the Church of England;

Committee C: Representatives of teacher organisations;

Committee D: Representatives of the Local Authority.

They meet at most 3 times a year.

What are its duties?

Its main function is to advise the Local Authority (LA) on matters relating to collective worship in Community Schools, together with ensuring that good quality RE is provided in all schools in accordance with their agreed syllabus.

The SACRE can require the LA to review its agreed syllabus
It must consider applications from Headteachers that their school be released from the requirements for collective worship to be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. This is known as a determination;
The SACRE must publish an annual report of its work.

What else can a SACRE do?

A SACRE's broad role is to support effective provision of RE and Collective Worship within its remit by:

Giving advice on methods of teaching the agreed syllabus of RE, including the choice of teaching materials;
Monitoring reports on RE, collective worship and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC);
Considering complaints about the provision and delivery of RE and collective worship referred to it by the LA;
Providing support and advice on any issues regarding religious education and collective worship that might impact on schools.