Every maintained school in England must provide a basic curriculum (RE, sex education and the National Curriculum). Religious Education is a statutory subject of the basic curriculum whilst not being part of the National Curriculum.

Religious education in schools celebrates the diversity of religious and human experience.The role of a SACRE is to:

• advise the LA on matters connected with religious education (RE) in community schools and foundation schools which do not have a religious character
• ensure RE is taught by the local Agreed Syllabus
• advise the authority and its teachers on matters concerning collective worship
• determine on behalf of the LA whether it is appropriate for the requirements to provide daily collective worship according to the legal requirements to be modified for all or some of the pupils of the school
• produce and publish an Annual Report of its work

Further information about Waltham Forest’s syllabus is available on Waltham Forest Council's website.

In order that they can bring a wide range of interests and talents to this work, a SACRE is made up of four groups:

• Group A Christian denominations (other than the Church of England) and other faiths represented within the LA. In Waltham Forest, this group has representatives from a wide range of faiths and beliefs
• Group B The Church of England
• Group C Teachers' professional associations / teachers in the LA
• Group D The Local Authority, which in Waltham Forest includes: Elected Members from the Majority and Minority parties; a representative of the LA; and representatives of Governors of local schools

Members of these groups are nominated by their respective organisations.

SACRE constitution 

Agendas and minutes of previous meetings 

Contact the clerk of the group