The Functions of SACRE
The SACRE has five major duties:
- to require the LA to review its current agreed syllabus every
five years;
- to advise the LA on matters connected with religious education
given in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus and collective
worship in city schools;
- to offer advice particularly on methods of teaching, the choice
of resources and the provision of training for teachers;
- to consider any applications from a school for a
'determination' to lift the requirement for the majority of acts of
collective worship in that school to be 'wholly or mainly of a
broadly Christian character';
- to publish an annual report giving details of its work, advice
given by SACRE to the LA, and deal with matters about which the LA
has sought advice from the SACRE.
The Composition of SACRE
Every local Authority (LA) has to convene a SACRE. The
Peterborough SACRE, which meets once a term, comprises of four
statutory groups. The four groups are as follows:
- Group A - representatives of non-Anglican Christian
denominations, other religions and religious denominations
- Group B - representatives of the Church of England
- Group C - representatives of the teachers'
associations
- Group D - representatives of the LA
Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education
Every Local Authority (LA) is required by law to have a Standing
Advisory Council for RE (SACRE). The origins of SACREs go back to
the Education Act of 1944, but the Education Reform Act 1988 and
the Education Act 1996 strengthened their place in local
authorities.
The responsibilities of the SACRE are:
- to advise the LA on Religious Education in accordance with an
agreed syllabus
- to monitor the provision and quality of Religious Education
taught according to its agreed syllabus, together with the overall
effectiveness of the syllabus
- to provide advice and support on the effective teaching of
Religious Education in accordance with the local agreed
syllabus
- and advise on maintaining the quality and standards of
Religious Education
- to provide advice to the LA and its schools on methods of
teaching the Peterborough City Council Agreed Syllabus, including
the choice of teaching materials
- to decide whether the LA's Agreed Syllabus for Religious
Education needs to be reviewed and to require the LA does so.
- to produce an annual report to QCDA and Schools
- to provide advice to the LA on Collective Worship in its
schools (this does not include Voluntary Aided or Voluntary
Controlled Schools).
- to consider any requests from Head teachers to hold Collective
Worship that is not of a broadly Christian character.
- to advise on matters relating to training for teachers in RE
and Collective Worship.
This site provides access to the various activities that the
SACRE undertakes e.g. Annual Reports, Annual Lectures, the
Peterborough RE Syllabus, Agenda and Minutes of SACRE meetings.
If you need any further information please contact:
The Clerk to SACRE
Lynne Perry
Learning & Skills Children's Services, Peterborough LA
Tel: 01733 864583
email lynne.perry@peterborough.gov.uk
RE Adviser for Peterborough City Council and
SACRE
Susan Ward
Cambridgeshire County Council
Tel: 01480 375881
email Susan.Ward@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Further information is available from the National Association of Standing
Advisory Council for Religious Education.