Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other world faiths, other religious traditions and other world views. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances pupils’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. Religious education encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning. It challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses. It encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and the global community. Religious education has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.
At Chaddesley Corbett Endowed Primary School we are a non-denominational school. We have strong links with St. Cassian’s Church. Once a month a team from the church deliver a collective worship. They follow the Open the Book scheme basing each assembly on a story from the Bible. They act this story out including the children in roles. The children very much look forward to these opportunities. At major Christian festivals children from school are invited by the Open the Book team to join in with the church service following the same principles as in school. As a school we also recognise important Christian festivals such as Easter, Harvest and Christmas. The children will participate within services to mark these occasions both at school and in St. Cassian’s church.
For the teaching of R.E. we use Discovery Education which aligns with the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. It is based upon key questions linked to important life events such as marriage, birth, celebrations, pray etc. It enables us not only to learn and reflect upon Christian beliefs and values, but to also recognise and study other major religions. We also continue to recognise and develop our understanding through our collective worships and activities we offer to the children. We feel it is very important that all children have an understanding of other people's beliefs, faiths and cultures as well as recognising their own. Through this they develop core values of respect and tolerance.
The Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education
In England, parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of schools. Parents and carers also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE and can do so without giving any explanation.
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 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.
If you wish to withdraw your child from RE, or parts of RE, please contact our headteacher.
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.