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Religious education

Religious education (RE) is a statutory requirement for all schools but it is not part of the national curriculum.

The overall aims of religious education are to enable learners to become:

  • successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
  • confident individuals who can live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
  • responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society

Understanding Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education (SACRE)

SACRE is the group that decides how religious education (RE) is taught in schools. Each local SACRE creates the RE syllabus for schools in North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

SACRE includes representatives from:

  • Christian denominations (excluding the Church of England), other religions and non-religious worldviews in North and West Northamptonshire
  • The Church of England
  • associations representing teachers
  • the Local Authority
  • there may also be co-opted members

SACRE also advises schools on collective worship, which is separate from RE teaching.

How SACRE operates

All members are encouraged to actively participate in meetings by sharing insights from their communities and passing on information from SACRE to their colleagues and communities.

We aim to support and promote religious education (RE) in schools across North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

We welcome new members to join us.

Agreed syllabus 

Please refer to the document below for the RE syllabus for 2025 to 2030:

Agreed Syllabus 2025-2030

PDF1.19 MB

If you are a teacher in a West Northamptonshire school, please email [email protected] to access the units and lessons that accompany this agreed syllabus.

This document will be updated annually to ensure web-links are current. 

Further information

The following guidance documents are available to schools:

Religious Observance Guidance

PDF529.8 KB

Ramadan Guidance

PDF456.61 KB

Northamptonshire SACRE newsletters

Newsletters are designed for teachers to access news, information and training opportunities about Religious Education.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list please contact [email protected].

Religious trips and visitors

The RE Hubs website lists contact details for accredited school speakers. Please ensure all visitors follow your school's safeguarding measures. Staff should supervise any unregulated activities at all times.

Contact us

Last updated 04 June 2025