Since the 1988 Education Reform Act
made it compulsory for all LEAs to
set up a Standing Advisory Council
for Religious Education (SACRE) there
have been a number of detailed
clarifications and modifications of the
duties and role of SACREs. Penny
Thompson usefully sets out the legal
requirements up to date, together
with a brief survey of the history of
SACREs and helpful comment on how some of a SACRE's functions are, or
may
be, most effectively carried out.
The second part of the booklet deals
similarly with the role and
functions of the Agreed Syllabus
Conference (ASC), making the important
point (sometimes neglected or
misunderstood) that these two
bodies are distinct legal entities
with different functions, despite obvious
similarities and links. Even if an
ASC consists very largely of the same
membership as the SACRE, it must be
set up separately and its meetings
clearly distinguished from those of
the SACRE.
It is now a legal requirement that
all LEAs must set up an ASC to
reconsider the local syllabus every
five years.
In addition to detailed practical
advice on procedures and the law,
Penny Thompson offers a thoughtful
discussion of the crucial legal
requirement that an agreed syllabus
'shall reflect the fact that the
religious traditions in Great
Britain are in the main Christian while taking
account of the teaching and
practices of the other principal religious
traditions represented in Great
Britain'. She has carried out detailed
research in this area
and her conclusions may be found
surprising. The booklet concludes with
a short
consideration of the issue of
indoctrination in RE.
Penny Thompson raises a number of issues which it is
essential for all SACREs and
ASCs to keep under review, and
provides a guide through the legal
complexities which will prove
invaluable to all who are called upon to serve
on SACREs or ASCs. Strongly
recommended to all concerned.
George Oliver has wide experience of education in
many different capacities. He began his
career as a secondary school RE teacher in 1957, became Head of Department and
in 1970 was appointed adviser and inspector of religious education in Redbridge
local authority. He was inspector at
ILEA between 1979-1986. He has served
on SACREs and ASCs in Southend-on -Sea, in Essex, in ILEA, and in Nottingham
City from the mid-sixties to the present day. He has worked as a church youth
leader and has been a Church of England
Reader since 1986.
Contact address:
Mrs Penny Thompson, 14 Chestnut
Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 2SZ
Email: pennyt@telinco.co.uk
