Every council is required by law to have a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).

The responsibilities of Dorset SACRE

The SACRE is responsible for advising on:
 
  • religious education and making sure it is provided in line with the syllabus
  • maintaining the quality and standards of religious education
  • methods of teaching the agreed syllabus in schools, including the choice of teaching materials
  • collective worship in schools (this does not include voluntary aided or voluntary controlled schools)
  • matters relating to training for teachers in religious education and collective worship
The SACRE is also responsible for:
 
  • reviewing the locally agreed syllabus every 5 years and making any revisions if needed
  • monitoring the provision and quality of religious education taught, together with the overall effectiveness of the syllabus
  • providing advice and support on the effective teaching of religious education in accordance with the local agreed syllabus
  • deciding whether the agreed syllabus for religious education needs to be reviewed and instruct that this is completed
  • publishing an annual report on its activities
  • considering requests from head teachers to hold collective worship that is not of a broadly Christian character