Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) has a responsibility for monitoring the quality of RE provision. At one time we were able to trawl inspection reports to acquire this information; however, you will know that Section 5 reports do not contain this level of data.

I hope you will be able to support us in our work. In order to ensure cohesion of practice, the enclosed support papers mirror the current requirements of the Self Evaluation Forma (SEF) and Ofsted documentation. This exercise should therefore be seen as part of, and complimentary to, the completion of your school’s SEF and could be used as supplementary evidence should inspection teams require this level of information.

We have produced the document ‘Summary of RE Provision’ to use as a SACRE Monitoring Form. We hope you will complete this very simple form and return to us between 1st September and 31st December 2008. We would be grateful if you could update this form annually by the end of each calendar year. We will ensure that we send reminders to you via the bulletin. Could you please send the completed forms to Mary Nichols, Clerk to SACRE, by fax on 0121 569 8397.

We have received several requests for guidance and help regarding the development of RE policies in primary schools and for help in preparing for Ofsted inspections. We therefore have produced various Guidance and Support documents.

The Sandwell Extranet also has information and resources on Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education in Sandwell. This is a password protected area for Sandwell school based staff only.

• The Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education Virtual Office