The Parental Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education

Religion and belief have become more visible in public life in recent years, making it important that all pupils should have an opportunity to engage in RE.   However, the parent of a pupil at a community school  may request that they be excused from all or part of the religious education (RE) provided. 

 Parents who wish to withdraw their children from RE should be aware of its aims and what is covered in the RE curriculum and that they are given the opportunity to discuss this if they wish. It should be made clear whether the withdrawal is from the whole RE curriculum or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.

 Important - limitations to withdraw

• If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching.  A pupil may be required to work in another area of the school, such as library or break out area. 
• Whilst parents or carers have a right to withdraw children from RE, they should note that children may also encounter religions and beliefs and wider aspects of faith in other areas of the curriculum from which there is no right of withdrawal.
• On occasion, spontaneous questions about religious matters are raised by pupils or issues related to religion arise in other curriculum subjects such as history or citizenship (PSHE)  For example, schools promote community cohesion and help pupils to understand ideas about identity and diversity, feelings and emotions within both religious and non-religious contexts. 

Managing the Right of Withdrawal   

Where a request for withdrawal is made, the school must comply and excuse the pupil until the request is rescinded. Though not legally required, it is good practice for a head teacher to invite parents to discuss their written request.  

(Section 71(3), School Standards and Framework Act 1998).

Intent

We aim to ensure that the RE curriculum is challenging, dynamic and relevant to pupils of all ages. Children are taught to understand and respect the importance of religious beliefs in the world around them; including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

Our aim is to enable pupils to flourish individually within their own communities and as citizens in a plural society and global community. We believe Religious Education has an important role in preparing our pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. We encourage our pupils to develop respect for, sensitivity to and acceptance of others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Implementation

At Percy Main Primary School, we follow the North Tyneside Syllabus for Religious Education. We make meaningful links to our topics and encourage children to use and develop their skills in RE to participate in critical thinking.

Delivery

RE lessons are taught as part of our class topics and wherever possible teachers make meaningful links to learning in other subjects. Wherever possible we visit places of religious worship and create opportunities to celebrate religious festivals together both as a school community and as global citizens and as members of the local community.

Impact

Through teaching RE we aim to promote discernment and enable pupils to combat prejudice and racism, ensuring our children are able to function well within a modern, multicultural and democratic Britain.

Inclusion

SEN pupils are fully involved in lessons as teaching and learning is differentiated to provide challenge at all levels and ensure that all children have access to the curriculum content.

Assessment and Recording

Children are assessed throughout every lesson. Support is given and misconceptions addressed as part of whole class and smaller group teaching. The teacher uses formative assessment during the lesson and summative assessment at the end of the lesson to inform planning of the next session or series of sessions.

Formal assessment is carried out every term and is added to the O-track tracker for each year group by the class teacher.

Monitoring and Review

The RE subject leader:

• Monitors assessment and standards across school
• Coaches newer teachers and members of staff with subject knowledge and teaching of RE
• Monitors and manages curriculum coverage and enhancements
• Is responsible for reporting to the governors about the quality of the implementation of R.E. and the impact on standards.