Newham's Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) is set to address key issues including religious education (RE), funding, and training at its upcoming meeting on 19 June 2025. The meeting agenda includes updates on student RE matters, a review of SACRE priorities, and discussions on the agreed syllabus for religious education with the local authority.
A significant focus will be on the Challenging Religious Stereotypes 2024-2025
project, involving students from nine secondary schools across Newham. The project aims to challenge religious stereotypes, encourage tolerance, and develop critical thinking skills. Participating schools include Plashet School, Quwwat UL Islam Girls' School, Azhar Academy, St Bonaventure's RC School, Lister Community School, Kingsford Community School, Little Ilford School, Chobham Academy, and Rokeby School. According to the report, students developed skills in collaborative working, interpersonal connections, and critical reflection.
SACRE will also discuss a proposal for a new project for the 2025/26 academic year titled Belief in Action
. This initiative aims to explore the supportive roles of religious and non-religious worldviews during difficult times, particularly in the context of increasing mental health challenges among young people.
Another key item on the agenda is an update on a place of worship trip and a related report. The tour visited seven different places of worship, including St Matthews Church, Highway Vineyard church, Radha Khrishna Mandir, Ramgarhia Gurdwara, East London Buddhist cultural centre, Masjid Ibrahim, and Sukkot Shalom Synagogue. The report indicated a significant increase in teacher confidence in managing place of worship tours and teaching about various religions. For example, before the tour, 41% of Newham teachers reported low confidence in managing the process of getting other teachers to book a place of worship tour. After completing the training, 100% of teachers reported feeling confident not only in leading visits to places of worship themselves but also in teaching others how to do so.
SACRE priorities for 2024-25, as outlined in the SACRE priorities document, include producing an annual report, supporting good RE in schools, securing funding for the 2025-2027 Agreed Syllabus review, and putting on training opportunities for RE with all schools.