Advice to headteachers of Community and Foundation Schools

A "determination" from SACRE lifts the requirement of Section 394 (1) of the Education Act 1996 that collective worship should be "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character".

Background

The Education Act 1996 Sections 387 and 394-396 summarise the position on determinations. If you consider that it is inappropriate for the school to provide collective worship "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character", you can apply to SACRE for a determination. ‘Before making an application under subsection (1), the head teacher of a school shall consult the governing body.’ (Section 394[5])

When the SACRE considers an application ‘the council shall have regard to any circumstances relating to the family backgrounds of the pupils at the school’ (Section 394[2]). Brent SACRE believes that it is important to safeguard the interests of all children in a school equally and will, therefore, consider an application for a determination even if there are a small number of children in the school of non-Christian backgrounds.

Each SACRE must decide how applications should be made and your application is more likely to succeed if you follow the following procedures carefully. Determinations must be reviewed every five years.

Before deciding to make an application

SACRE would like you and your governing body to consider the following questions:

Why do you think your school needs a determination?

If this is your school’s first determination what kind of provision are you currently making for collective worship?  What changes would you make if you were granted a determination?

If your school already has a determination what difference do you think this has made?  Are you following the Brent Approach?  Do you think this is appropriate?  Are there any further changes you may need to make if your determination is renewed?

If you are interested, a SACRE member will try to visit your school before you make your application to discuss any concerns or issues.