RE
Vision:
At Cheriton Primary School, we feel that high quality, effective Religious Education is vital to prepare the children for all aspects of adult life. It helps them develop their knowledge of our history and culture. It fosters a respect for those who may have different beliefs to their own, which are in line with British Values. It offers opportunities for spiritual growth and reflection. Religious Education encourages children to develop their sense of identity and belonging in the community.
Religious Education helps children to develop their language, and artistic skills. Children will also develop their empathy towards others and ideas of how to care for the world; this learning nurtures a shared ethical responsibility both inside and outside the classroom. We encourage the children to be open - minded and confident in their views.
We follow the Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2022 - 2027. The children relate their learning to their own experiences. When the children leave Cheriton, they will have a firm grasp of world views and be confident in their own beliefs.
Subject Lead: Mrs Young
The 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 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.
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If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching.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 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
If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost.
Where a request for withdrawal is made, the school must comply and excuse the pupil until the request is rescinded. The headteacher will invite parents to discuss their written request.
(Section 71(3), School Standards and Framework Act 1998)
