We have been seeking advice from the DfE for a statement of advice about ASCs during local government reorganisation and with a potential move into the National Curriculum since December 2025.
Our latest communication from the adviser has been that “it would be inappropriate right now to make statements about the subject or set out advice”
The NASACRE Executive have produced this advice:
As you are aware, SACREs have a statutory duty to review their Agreed Syllabus every five years and this remains the case until and if there is any change in legislation. Given the moves towards including RE in a new National Curriculum, and the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation affecting many areas, LAs still have a statutory duty to convene and support an Agreed Syllabus Conference in a timely manner.
If you are in this situation, it may be prudent at this point to conduct a light touch review of the syllabus, or even to renew a syllabus without changes, until the new statutory settlement is more fully understood. In areas where a school finds itself in a new Local Authority, with a new Agreed Syllabus for RE, it may be wise to continue to use the Agreed Syllabus of the old SACRE/ Authority for a transitional period.
Luke Akehurst MP helpfully asked this written parliamentary question (9295) tabled on: 11th June 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of local government reorganisation on local authorities’ ability to (a) convene and (b) support Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Educations effectively.
Which Georgia Gould MP, The Minister for School Standards, answered on 22nd June:
The legal duty on local authorities, or any replacement of these entities, to convene a standing advisory council on religious education (SACRE) remain included throughout local government reorganisation.
Although this question and answer is about SACREs and not ASCs specifically, it goes some way to implying that out suggested advice would be appropriate.
NASACRE Executive June 2026