Bromley Schools Exceed National Average in Religious Education

Bromley schools are outperforming the national average in Religious Education (RE), according to the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE). The council highlighted the achievement in its annual report, noting that 78.9% of pupils in Bromley schools achieved grades 9-4 in Full Course RE, 5.2% higher than the national average of 73.2%.

The SACRE Annual Report for the academic year 2024-25¹, discussed at the SACRE meeting on Monday, noted several key initiatives contributing to this success. These include training for primary teachers, support for secondary teachers through local networks, and the creation of REal Resource videos. The Bromley schools have been able to participate in innovative pilot projects because the syllabus has been designed to support the latest approaches and developments in the subject.

Reverend Roger Bristow, Chair of Bromley SACRE, emphasised the importance of engaging students with the lived experiences of people of faith. In the report's introduction, he stated:

Our REal Resource videos and Interfaith Dialogue Programme this year further enhance the provision of support to schools in the delivery of RE, which engages students with the lived experience of people of faith.

The report also highlighted the innovative pilot projects Bromley schools have participated in, made possible by the syllabus's design to support the latest approaches in the subject. One school is reportedly reapplying for their Gold RE Quality Mark.

The SACRE also discussed the SACRE Action Plan for September 2025 to September 2026, which includes teacher network work, the RE Calendar 2026-2027 Production, the SACRE Annual Report 2024-5, syllabus review, supporting SACRE constitution, supporting communication, SACRE speakers, and interfaith dialogue CPD and resources.

The SACRE meeting also included a discussion of guest speaker best practices, with a document devised to help ensure guest speakers or visits to schools by Faith Group Representatives can best enhance the learning of pupils in Religious Education (RE). The Guest Speakers Best Practice Oct 2025 document included suggestions informed by Ofsted expectations, past experience and guidance regarding best practice to support teachers in embedding the learning experience as part of the curriculum, enabling pupils to 'learn and remember' more. The document provided guidance for teachers and speakers before, during and after the session.

The Agenda Frontsheet for the meeting, along with the Public Reports Pack, provide further details on the topics discussed.