SACRE
Collective worship
- Schools must provide collective worship daily for all registered pupils.
- There is no legal requirement to provide collective worship for pupils aged under five.
- Most acts of collective worship in each term should be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character; this means that they should reflect the broad traditions of Christian belief without being distinctive of any particular Christian denomination.
- Collective worship can take place at any time during the school day.
- Collective worship can be provided to pupils in any sized group, for example, as a class, a year group, a phase group or a whole-school community.
- Collective worship should take account of the family backgrounds, ages and aptitudes of the pupils involved.
- A parent can request that their child is excused from collective worship and schools must agree to such requests. Parents do not have to give reasons. Pupils who are excused must be supervised by the school. The school may, in agreement with parents, provide alternative arrangements for worship for one or more pupils that are excused, but is not obliged to do so.
- The school prospectus should refer to parents’ right to request that their child is excused from collective worship and outline the arrangements for pupils who are excused.
- The Education and Inspections Bill 2006 gives pupils in sixth forms the right to excuse themselves from collective worship. This legislation was brought into force in Wales in February 2009.
- Teachers have the right to withdraw from collective worship. However, the school must ensure that collective worship is still provided daily for all pupils.
Introduction to SACRE/ SACRVE
The role and composition of SACRE
The purpose of a SACRE is to advise the local authority (LA) on matters related to religious education and collective worship in state maintained schools.
Composition of SACRE
The local authority is responsible for the composition of SACRE.
SACRE is made up of three groups:
- Representatives of Christian denominations and other religions to reflect broadly the proportionate strength of that denomination or religion in the area.
- Associations representing teachers.
- Local authority representatives.
SACRE may co-opt additional non-voting members in accordance with the constitution.
The role of a SACRE
Advise the local authority about religious education and collective worship.
- meet and monitor statutory requirements
- how the agreed syllabus for religious education is best delivered
- methods of teaching
- resources to be used
- training of teachers.
To require the local authority to review its agreed syllabus for religious education.
- legal requirement for every local authority to review its agreed syllabus within five years of the last review
- any agreed syllabus 'shall reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain'.
To consider applications from school for determinations
- determinations are requests to be exempt from 'broadly Christian worship'.
To consider complaints about the provision and delivery of religious education and collective worship
- to play a part in the local statutory complaints procedure where cases are referred to SACRE by the local authority.
To publish an annual report on its work
- this is to be submitted to DfES in Welsh Government by 31 December of each year.
The responsibilities of the local authority in respect of SACRE
- establish and fund a SACRE
- appoint members to SACRE and the Agreed Syllabus Conference
- determine and provide the advice and support required by SACRE
- nform SACRE on matters relating to religious education and collective worship
- provide information on school inspection and/or self-evaluation reports
- respond to advice offered by SACRE
- constitute and facilitate an agreed syllabus conference when required by SACRE
- notify the Minister for Education when a new syllabus is agreed
- consider curriculum complaints on religious education and collective worship.
Acronyms
SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education)
DfES (Department for Education and Skills)
Estyn (The Schools Inspection Service for Wales)
NAPfRE (National Advisory Panel for Religious Education)
Legislation
Each local authority in Wales must adopt a syllabus of Religion, Values and Ethics for use in the schools maintained by them.
Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 (opens in a new tab)
The definition of agreed syllabus is outlined in the Education Act 1996.
Education Act 1996 (opens in a new tab)
Welsh Government RVE guidance can be found here:
Pembrokeshire Agreed Syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics
Preface – Director of Education
I am delighted to introduce the Pembrokeshire Agreed Syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) to support all schools' development of a pluralistic, critical and objective curriculum. Undoubtedly, high-quality RVE will play a significant role in realising the four purposes and I know that schools will be mindful of their duties in line with legislation and learner entitlement described within this syllabus.
We will need to evaluate how well this syllabus supports schools in fulfilling these expectations, and make adjustments as needed. Ongoing professional learning support will be informed by schools' views and suggestions. I ask that schools make good use of the range of communication channels available to ensure their voices inform our planning and support. This includes contacting the Pembrokeshire Standing Advisory Council for RVE (SACRVE) who have a legal responsibility to monitor the quality of RVE provision and standards within the county, and to provide advice and guidance.
I ask that all Headteachers include a short evaluation in their termly report to governors about their school's progress with RVE, including if any additional support would be useful. This will enable SACRVE to maintain an overview of progress and provide the necessary level of support. It will be particularly useful if schools can share examples of their strongest practice with regards to RVE and its impact on learners, so that SACRVE can showcase this work and share it with others to stimulate thinking. We are reviewing this syllabus in Autumn 2024, following feedback from all schools.
I look forward to hearing of a diverse range of dynamic and meaningful learning experiences that enable learners of all ages to better understand our world and to make it an even better place.
Steven Richards-Downes
Director for Education
RVE within the curriculum for Wales
The Welsh Government RVE Guidance
The co-construction of the agreed syllabus
Suggested guidance on time allocation
Objectives of the agreed syllabus
United Nations Charter for the Rights of the Child
Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics Contact details
SACRVE Clerk: Lydia Cheshire; Lydia.Cheshire@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Local Authority Contact: Sian Rowles; RowlesS5@Hwbcymru.net
RVE Adviser: Jennifer Harding-Richards; Jennifer.Harding-Richards@swansea.gov.uk