Religious Education at Scunthorpe Church Of England Primary
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RE at Scunthorpe C of E
As a Church of England school, we recognise the core place that RE occupies in relation to our Christian distinctiveness. We recognise the variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds that make up our school community and we respect this variety of backgrounds in the spirit of Christian welcome.
Our RE curriculum has been designed to ensure children develop religious literacy. This means we aim for our pupils to be able to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and belief and to show acceptance and respect. Our children learn about what different faiths and non-faiths believe, think and how people live their lives. Children are given the opportunity to share and discuss what they think in a tolerant and respectful environment. Children develop their understanding that religion may be different for each person.
If you would like to know more about Religious Education at our school, please look at our LTP, Policy or arrange to speak with the RE lead by calling the school office.
RE Across our School
Advent Spiral
During the Spiral Walk, we celebrate the turning point in the year when the days become their shortest and the night its longest and we look for the light which comes from within. In the centre of the spiral, a single candle is lit. Each child walks the spiral alone to the centre of the spiral, where we light their candle to place along the spiral. When all the children have walked the path, the whole spiral is a glow with lights.
The advent spiral is about reflection and emphasising to children how they shine their light. It also introduces advent. They walk round the spiral to the middle, talk with their teacher and light their candle, then spiral back out to their positions and look at their candle and reflect about what has been said and anything else that they think about during this spiritual time. We put on meditation music and use tea light holders to have candles in.
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Policy and Long Term Plan
Request to withdraw from RE
Parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to request their child/ren are wholly or partly excused from:
- RE lessons in accordance with the schools’ basic curriculum
- Acts of Collective Worship in schools
As parents, you do not have to provide a reason for requesting the withdrawal. However before exercising any right of withdrawal, we would recommend you discuss your concerns with Mrs Neall, 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/intervention area.
- Whilst parents or carers have a right to withdraw children from RE, they should note that child/ren may also encounter religions and beliefs and wider aspects of faith in other areas of the National 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
All requests for withdrawals should be made in writing, addressed to the headteacher.
If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Pupils will usually remain on school premises where it is feasible and appropriate and alternative work to be provided by parents or carers. We recommend that suitable work could be relating to other faiths and non, for example, Buddhism, environmental issues or work to supporting SMSC development. Work needs to be given/sent to school at least a week in advance and needs to cover approx. 1hour duration per week.
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 headteacher to invite parents to discuss their written request.
(Section 71(3), School Standards and Framework Act 1998).