Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting, and acknowledged important faith observances taking place recently or in the near future, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar.  The SACRE wished Tom Clayton well, as he had resigned since the last SACRE meeting.

Apologies were received from Hayden Cohen, Abhijeet Kulkarni, and Mohinder Singh Chana (Group A), Sarah Hodgson (Group C), and Councillors Robert Heseltine and Councillor Simon Myers (Group D).

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2025 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2025 were agreed as an accurate record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Edward Maxwell, Clerk to North Yorkshire SACRE (contact details below) by midday on Thursday 4 December, three working days before the day of the meeting. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item. Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

·         at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·         when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

To receive a training session on the newly updated NASACRE handbook.

The Professional RE Adviser delivered a training session for SACRE members, focusing on the updated NASACRE Handbook (July 2025) and supporting new member inductions.  The presentation outlined SACRE’s statutory role as the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, a legal body advising the Local Authority on RE and collective worship in schools.  Members were reminded of SACRE’s legal duties, including publishing an annual report, advising on RE matters, and considering determinations from schools, alongside best practice such as monitoring provision, co-opting members, and reviewing the agreed syllabus outside the five-year cycle.

Examples of SACRE’s wider impact were highlighted, including the agreed syllabus launch, RE networks, and newsletters.  Clarification was given that Local Authority representatives (Group D) do not vote on syllabus reviews to avoid conflicts of interest.  The handbook also sets out SACRE’s role in supporting RE, collective worship, and SMSC, achieved through officer reports, school questionnaires, and inspection findings.

The composition of SACRE was explained, with four groups (A: faith and belief communities, B: Church of England, C: teachers, D: Local Authority), as determined by the local Constitution.  The Local Authority’s responsibilities include ensuring SACRE’s existence, establishing an Agreed Syllabus Conference, reviewing the syllabus every five years, providing funds, and responding to SACRE’s advice.  The Clerk outlined the role of Democratic Services in supporting SACRE’s operations and communications.

Members reflected on the importance of listening to all perspectives, working collaboratively, and keeping the focus on pupil outcomes.  Concerns were raised about the potential impact of political changes on SACRE’s support for RE, with reassurance given that NASACRE ensures statutory requirements are upheld regardless of political context.  Responsibilities across different school types were also discussed: SACRE has full responsibility for maintained community and voluntary controlled schools, while voluntary aided schools’ RE curriculum is overseen by their faith body.  Academies must be provided with an agreed syllabus but retain freedom to adopt or design their own provision.

Agreed:  That the training be noted, and that the Professional RE Adviser be thanked for an informative and engaging session.

To receive an update on the outcome of the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report, issued in November 2025.

The Professional RE Adviser provided an update on the final report of the national Curriculum and Assessment Review Panel and the government’s response, published in November.  The report recommends that Religious Education (RE) be incorporated into the National Curriculum, with the RE Council of England and Wales tasked with drafting proposals within six months.  Dr Vanessa Ogden is leading an expert advisory group, supported by reference groups representing religion and belief communities, RE teachers, legal experts, school leaders, and young ambassadors.

It was noted that SACRE’s role will remain valued, though its legal function in curriculum determination may be amended if RE becomes a National Curriculum subject.  SACRE’s local responsibilities for communication, representation, and monitoring will continue to be important.

In discussion, Members acknowledged the early stages the review was at, and the uncertainty about how significant it might prove, but welcomed the potential elevation of RE’s status.  Challenges in achieving consensus among belief groups were highlighted, along with the possible removal of RE from sixth forms, the review of non-statutory guidance, and the requirement for parliamentary approval for legal changes.  Officers responded that consensus is emerging, supported by the existing National Content Standard, and clarified that legislative changes may be achieved through amendments to clauses rather than primary legislation.  Members also asked about SACRE’s role in promoting community cohesion, and examples including syllabus launches, school speakers, and engagement with interfaith week were highlighted.

The Professional RE Adviser undertook to continue to keep SACRE informed, both through formal updates in meetings and informally passing information through the Clerk to Members between meetings.

Agreed:  That the report be noted.

Members to consider the 2024/25 Annual Report of the North Yorkshire SACRE for approval.

The SACRE considered the draft 2024/25 Annual Report, which was presented by the Principal Education Adviser.  It was reported that since it had first been considered by SACRE at the 30 September 2025 meeting, an image had been removed from the Collective Worship section as it did not relate to Collective Worship.  There were no other corrections or amendments suggested.  The Clerk reiterated the procedure for voting.

Agreed (unanimously):  That the SACRE 2024/25 Annual Report be approved.

To inform Members on work undertaken by the Local Authority since the last SACRE meeting

The Principal Education Adviser (Monitoring) presented their report, noting a quiet period due to Ofsted’s pause on most inspection activity.  Seven inspection reports from before the summer holidays, which were published after the collation of the deadline for inclusion in the September report, were shared, with feedback generally positive. 

The renewed Ofsted framework is being reviewed for references to collective worship and RE, which are expected to be captured within the personal development and behaviour sections.  In discussion, the challenges of delivering RE in Pupil Referral Units was raised.  It was confirmed that the LA works with such schools and adapts the curriculum to meet pupil needs within the legal framework.

Agreed: That the report be noted.

Members to review and comment on the SACRE Development Plan 2024-26.

Members considered the SACRE Development Plan, offering comments and feedback on future items of work which would contribute to its effective implementation.  Updates included ongoing work to hold a meeting at an outside venue in June 2026.

Agreed:  That the development plan be noted.

The next meeting of the SACRE will take place on Tuesday 21 April 2026, at 4:00pm. It will be a hybrid meeting, held in The Brierley meeting room, County Hall, Northallerton.

The date of the next meeting, on Tuesday 21 April at 16:00, was noted.