Religious Education - SACRE
Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)
The Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) is a statutory body that oversees the delivery of religious education and collective worship in the county. As part of the cycle of RE development it requires the authority to convene an Agreed Syllabus Conference (at least every 5 years) to review the Kent Agreed Syllabus for RE. It meets at least on a termly basis and publishes an annual report on its activities. The Clerk to SACRE can be contacted in writing at: Chief Executive’s Department, Room 1.99, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ.
SACRE Annual Reports
SACRE produces an annual report outlining its areas of work and highlighting its priorities. Each SACRE sends a copy to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in December and they produce a summary report on the work of SACREs nationally.
Guidance material produced by SACRE
Shaping the Spirit: guidance on spiritual education from Kent SACRE
This document has proved an invaluable guide to Kent schools (and wider afield).
During 2008/09 'Shaping the Spirit' has been updated. More information........Gathering Together: Policy and Practice for Collective Worship
SACRE's updated guidance on collective worship is now available. A copy went free to all Kent schools in late April 2008 (Voluntary Aid and Controlled Schools with a religious foundation and Foundation schools with a religious foundation need to base their policy and practice on Appendix 9 a) and b) and may find some of the rest of the resource helpful.) Extra copies are available from ASK Publications.
The guidance has in it two planning grids and a draft policy for collective worship, please click on these links to access.
Themes for Collective Worship
As part of its previous guidance the SACRE produced an outline for a seven year programme of themes that could be developed in collective worship. The document this was produced in is not out of print but the programme of themes is available to download.
Considering Collective Worship in my school
Attached here is a PowerPoint presentation delivered by Pamela Draycott to some Headteacher briefing sessions during May/June 2008 introducing key issues linked to the new SACRE guidance on Collective Worship - Gathering Together.
You can also find a discussion starter for use in staff meetings or with governors to get them thinking about collective worship in your school.