Introduction to SACRVE

Introduction to Pembrokeshire’s Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics (SACRVE - formerly SACRE)

Purpose of SACRVE

A Standing Advisory Council on Religion, Values and Ethics (SACRVE) is a statutory body that advises the local authority on matters relating to Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) and Collective Worship in state-maintained schools.

Following the introduction of the Curriculum for Wales in 2022, SACRE and SACRVE operated in parallel during the transitional period whilst religious education was still part of the curriculum for older pupils. As the Curriculum for Wales is now fully implemented, SACRE ceased to operate and SACRVE will be the sole statutory advisory body. For this reason, this website and all associated documentation refer to SACRVE and RVE only.

Roles of SACRVE

SACRVE has a statutory advisory role in relation to Religion, Values and Ethics and Collective Worship. In carrying out this role, SACRVE advises the local authority on:

compliance with statutory requirements
matters relating to the Agreed Syllabus for RVE, to which maintained schools must have regard when designing their curriculum
approaches to teaching and learning in RVE
the use and suitability of resources and guidance
the professional learning and support needs of teachers and leaders of RVE.

The Agreed Syllabus for RVE

SACRVE may advise the local authority to review its Agreed Syllabus for RVE.

Local authorities are required to review their Agreed Syllabus within five years of the previous review.
Any Agreed Syllabus for RVE must 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 religions represented in Great Britain, and must also reflect the fact that a range of non-religious philosophical convictions are held in Wales.

Determinations

SACRVE considers applications from schools for determinations, which are requests to be exempt from the requirement that acts of Collective Worship be “broadly Christian”.

Complaints

SACRVE may consider complaints relating to the provision of RVE and Collective Worship where these are formally referred by the local authority as part of the statutory complaints process.

Annual report

SACRVE is required to publish an annual report on its work which must be submitted to Welsh Government by 31 December each year.

Local authority responsibilities relating to SACRVE

The local authority is responsible for:

establishing and funding a SACRVE
appointing members to SACRVE and to the Agreed Syllabus Conference
providing appropriate advice, administrative support and professional expertise to enable SACRVE to fulfil its statutory functions
receiving, considering and responding to advice from SACRVE on RVE and Collective Worship
providing relevant information, including school inspection and self-evaluation information, where appropriate
convening and supporting an Agreed Syllabus Conference when required
notifying the Cabinet Member for Education when a revised Agreed Syllabus for RVE is adopted
considering curriculum-related complaints concerning RVE and Collective Worship.

Composition of SACRVE

In accordance with legislation, SACRVE is comprised of three groups:

Representatives of Christian denominations and other principal religions and non-religious worldviews, reflecting broadly their presence in the local authority area.
Representatives from teachers’ associations.
Representatives from the local authority.

SACRVE may also co-opt additional non-voting members, in line with its constitution.

Pembrokeshire SACRVE Vision

Ethos: Empowering Minds, Nurturing Values, Growing Community

Vision for SACRVE

As happy, kind, ethical and informed citizens*, all of Pembrokeshire’s children and young people develop deeper knowledge and understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews and values, and increasingly sophisticated skills, such as meaningful dialogue and critical thinking.**
All teachers and schools are guided and supported to confidently design, implement and refine an evidence-informed, transformational RVE curriculum and culture, drawing on lived and living experiences. This enables schools to fulfil legislative duties 3-16 and expectations 16-18.
SACRVE champions and supports high quality RVE for all learners, celebrating and sharing effective practice, and engaging proactively with families and communities. Systematic monitoring informs self-evaluation and reviews, for example, of the Pembrokeshire RVE Agreed Syllabus, and improvement planning and professional learning.

SACRVE guides schools to meet statutory requirements for collective worship in invitational, inclusive and reflective ways.

* This relates to one of the four purposes central to Curriculum for Wales, i.e. ethical, informed citizens who:

find, evaluate and use evidence in forming views
engage with contemporary issues based upon their knowledge and values
understand and exercise their human and democratic responsibilities and rights
understand and consider the impact of their actions when making choices and acting
are knowledgeable about their culture, community, society and the world, now and in the past
respect the needs and rights of others, as a member of a diverse society
show their commitment to the sustainability of the planet and are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world

** This is inclusive SACRVE’s working definition of Religious Literacy:

understanding and engaging with religious and nonreligious worldviews, and the diversity within and among these beliefs and perspectives.
critical thinking about the role, impact and influence of religion and non-religious beliefs on individuals, society, culture and the world in which we live.
questioning and respectful, meaningful dialogue with both religious and non-religious individuals.
safeguarding against harmful stereotypes and vulnerability to misinformation or disinformation relating to faith and beliefs.
contributing to informed and peaceful co-existence in a pluralistic, interconnected world.

Guiding Principles

Inclusivity: All children and young people access RVE in ways that meet their needs, interests and contexts, and are suitable for their stage of development.

Objectivity: In schools without a religious characteristic, pupils learn that there are multiple approaches to living a positive life; information on any religion, worldview or value is presented neutrally and without bias.

Criticality: Analysis, questioning, independent thought and discussion are encouraged and developed so that learners can engage meaningfully and respectfully in complex issues suitable to their stage of development.

Plurality: RVE reflects a diversity of beliefs and viewpoints to deepen understanding of the complexities of communities and society.

Authenticity: RVE enables learners to make sense of their local area, Pembrokeshire, Wales and the World, their place in it and how they can take/make opportunities to influence society as it shapes.

Co-existence: RVE enables learners to develop the knowledge, skills and ambition to co-exist happily and purposefully.

Dignity: We are all born worthy.

Glossary

SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education)

SACRVE (Standing Advisory Council for Religion, Values and Ethics)

DfES (Department for Education and Skills)

Estyn (The education and training inspectorate for Wales)

NAPfRE (National Advisory Panel for Religious Education)