Bexley Council has convened the Bexley Agreed Syllabus Conference (ASC) to review its Religious Education (RE) syllabus, a process mandated by the Education Act 1996. The review process began in 2024, but the ASC had not yet been convened as of the meeting date (November 11, 2025). The ASC was scheduled to consider proposals for the Agreed Syllabus at its next meeting. A specific implementation date for the revised syllabus is not yet available.
The conference, which met on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, addressed the establishment of the conference, appointment of a chairman for the meeting, and declarations of interest from members. Proposals for membership and working arrangements are scheduled for discussion at the next meeting.
The council is required to review its Agreed Syllabus no later than five years after its adoption. While the review process began in 2024, convening the ASC ensures compliance with the Act. According to the Public Reports Pack, the council's SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) Advisor has been in contact with the National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (NASACRE), who advised that compliance would be achieved as soon as the ASC was convened.
The Establishment of ASC Report notes that the ASC has the same structure as the SACRE, but groups are referred to as committees. The ASC can be made up of some SACRE members but need not be so; there is no provision for co-opted members.
The Appointment of Chairman Cover Sheet outlined the process for selecting a chairman for the initial meeting. Members were invited to appoint a chairman for the first meeting only, with a future election planned for the duration of the ASC's work. The Agenda also included information on Declarations of Interests and Dispensations.
The review and potential adaptation of a commercial syllabus could cost up to £6,000, with supporting materials and a training conference adding another £3,000. Additional costs for teacher consultations or a working party are also anticipated. These expenses will be covered by the London Borough of Bexley from existing budgets. The Public Reports Pack notes that the cost of reviewing the Agreed Syllabus and adopting a commercial product with some adaptations for Bexley could be up to £6,000, with supporting primary materials and a training conference adding a further £3,000. There are also likely to be yet undefined additional costs, possibly to run teacher consultations and / or a teacher working party.
The Education Act mandates that the Agreed Syllabus must reflect the predominantly Christian religious traditions in Great Britain while also accounting for the teachings and practices of other principal religions represented in the country. Section 375(3) of the Education Act states that the Agreed Syllabus must reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, whilst taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.
