Denise Chaplin

Each Local Authority (LA) has a SACRE that brings together elected Members, teachers and representatives of faith communities and the Local Authority. SACRE's role is to advise the LA about the local provision and quality of religious education and of collective worship as well as promoting community cohesion and social inclusion. The National Association of Standing Advisory Councils on religious education (NASACRE) was established in 1993 as a non profit-making organisation that represents the interests of SACREs. As well as producing a termly newsletter and organising national conferences, NASACRE Executive work with national bodies to provide support to SACREs across the country. The Chair of NASACRE, Denise Chaplin, started teaching in 1973 after completing a degree in English &Theology at Southampton University and a PGCE. She taught in Junior, Middle and Secondary schools and since 1994 works in Lewisham as School Improvement Officer for RE & Collective Worship with responsibility for the South London Multifaith & Multicultural Resources Centre. Denise supports SACREs in five London LAs. She is a member of the Association for RE Inspectors, Advisers and Consultants (AREIAC) and the Executive of the RE Council of England and Wales, of which NASACRE is a member.