Agenda item

Members were asked to agree the final version of 2020-2021 SACRE Annual Report, which was drafted using the new annual report template for SACREs.

During discussion, the issue of monitoring schools to ensure that they were teaching RE in accordance with the Pan-Berkshire Agreed Syllabus was raised. It was noted that all maintained schools were required to follow a locally agreed syllabus, but academies and free schools could choose to either follow their locally agreed syllabus, or make their own provision for teaching RE.

Although RE was offered as an exam subject at Key Stage 4 and 5, the subject was less likely to be selected as an option at ‘A’ level, as students could only choose one subject from option blocks. Additionally, RE was less likely to be selected by students, as it was not an EBacc (English Baccalaureate) subject.

The Adviser reported that this issue was currently being debated in Parliament and would keep SACRE members updated of any new developments.

Resolved – That the 202-21 Annual report be approved.