All local authorities, including unitary authorities, have a duty to establish a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) to advise them on matters relating to collective worship in community schools and on Religious Education in community schools and VC schools. Religious education is a statutory part of the basic curriculum for all pupils.
SACRE is made up of four committees:
- Committee A – the Faiths Committee
- Committee B – the Church of England
- Committee C – Teachers
- Committee D – County Councillors
Representatives of Ely Diocese make up the whole of Committee B (four seats) in Cambridgeshire and have one seat on both Norfolk and Peterborough SACREs.
There is a legal requirement for the SACRE to develop a locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education which is reviewed every five years and its effectiveness and appropriateness is monitored annually. In the Diocese of Ely all Church schools, whether VA, VC or Academy, are expected to follow their local Agreed Syllabus, with a time bias towards the teaching of Christianity.
The Diocese supports RE and its local SACREs with the publication of support materials and training for teachers and governors.
Any queries relating to SACRE should be sent to Jemma Coulson.