The 1988 Education Act confirms that Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory part of the curriculum. It is a statutory requirement that every Local Authority (LA) appoints a SACRE. This is to advise the local authority on:
- religious education in community and voluntary controlled schools;
- along with collective worship in community schools.
It is also responsible to make sure that:
- pupils in our maintained schools get their statutory entitlement in RE;
- and that this is of the highest possible quality.
It meets often to discuss RE matters and advice to schools. All agendas, minutes and papers for discussion or for information have to be published seven days before the meeting.
Meetings must be held in public where the public can access. Although, there could be situations where the press and public are excluded.
It is a partnership between the Council and our communities. It is led by Mrs Shelagh Hirst (Chair) and Mark Sharp (Vice Chair). Members give their time freely and with passion. We support it through Pennine Learning, which acts as our partner for this purpose.
Meetings
- Once a term at various locations, with a 6pm start.
Minutes
Members
| Committee | Name | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Jake Womack | Pentecostal Churches |
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Maryam Siddiqa | Islam |
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Peter Baron | Baptist Churches |
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Robert Fox | Methodist |
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Richard Dale | Jewish |
| Faith & Denominations Except Anglicans | Dipan Mistry | Hinduism |
| Church of England | James Allison | C of E |
| Church of England | Trish Boyd | C of E |
| Church of England | Helen Lever | C of E |
| Church of England | Shelagh Hirst (Chair) | C of E |
| Church of England | Tommy Daglish | C of E |
| Church of England | Janet Lapthorne | C of E |
| Teachers and Schools | Eilish Wade | Secondary School Representation |
| Teachers and Schools | Mark Sharp (Vice Chair) | Primary Headteacher |
| Teachers and Schools | Vacant | Calderdale Federation of Education Unions |
| Teachers and Schools | Katie Jennings | Primary Teacher |
| Teachers and Schools | Helen Crowther | Primary Academy Headteacher |
| Teachers and Schools | Simon Bedford | Primary Teacher |
| Teachers and Schools | Ruth Walker | Secondary School Representation |
| Elected Members | Cllr Dot Foster | Elected Member |
| Elected Members | Cllr Brenda Monteith | Elected Member |
| Elected Members | Cllr Israr Ahmed | Elected Member |
Agreed syllabus
SACRE is responsible to make sure that RE in Calderdale schools is of a high quality.
To see the syllabus for Calderdale and Kirklees, please visit: SACRE agreed syllabus - Believing and belonging (2024-29) (PDF).
Annual report
This is on Calderdale SACRE's work and the quality of religious education in Calderdale:
Sharing the Journey
This booklet has guidance for Calderdale schools on affirming and including students who belong to faith communities.
It covers topics such as: key principles, attendance, dress, food, worship, the curriculum and broadening perspectives.
More information
Websites
- National Association of SACREs.
- Pennine Learning. This supports RE in Calderdale schools. They produce the syllabus for RE along with with Calderdale SACRE and Kirklees SACRE, plus training and resources.
- RE:Online. Ideas, resources and inspiration for teaching RE in schools.
- NATRE. The National Association of Teachers of RE. Includes resources and guidance for primary and secondary schools.
- Religious Education Council (REC) of England and Wales. This provides a multi-faith forum to support and promote RE in schools and colleges. It works with the Government, the media, parents/children, teachers/governors and members of faith/belief communities.
National reports
Ofsted Research Review: Religious Education
This outlines the factors that can contribute to the quality of education (May 2021).
- Commission on Religious Education - Final Report 2018 (PDF).
- The State of the Nation (PDF). A report on the religious education provision within secondary schools.
A New Settlement: religion and belief in schools
A report was created from the Westminster Faith debates on religion and belief in schools. Calderdale have written a summary on this report:
Religious education in English schools: non statutory guidance 2010
Guidance to support the provision of high quality religious education in local authority maintained schools. First published in 2010, it is updated by the Department for Education.
High Court Ruling on Religious Education
Legal guidance on what it means for local authorities, academies, schools, teachers, agreed syllabus conferences and SACREs.
Pennine learning guidance, templates and training
Collective worship advice and guidance for schools
Support for schools to fulfil their statutory and promote good SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development.
- Religious Education policy template. A template for schools to use to state their policy for religious education.
RE withdrawal guidance
Guidance on how to manage the right of withdrawal from RE in your school.
Voices and Viewpoints 2021
Perspectives on relationships, sex and health education from faiths and beliefs.
- Pennine Learning training events. Training events provided by Pennine Learning.
Newsletters
West Yorkshire updates from Pennine Learning:
RE resources hub
Resources to support the local RE syllabus Believing and Belonging.
It includes over 60 detailed units of work and other support materials.
To subscribe to the Hub and get a username and password, email: business.solutions@kirklees.gov.uk.
There is a one-off subscription charge of £200, which supports the work of the SACREs in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds.