Our vision for religious education:
Our religious education (R.E) curriculum helps us to demonstrate our moral foundation through the value we place on everyone involved in the life of our school. It also consolidates our belief that everyone is unique and deserves to be treated with respect for their individuality whilst fostering a nurturing environment where personal confidence can grow. Through R.E we believe pupils develop their knowledge of the world faiths and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals, societies, communities and cultures. We encourage all pupils to be curious in order to gain a better understanding about the world they live in and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences to understand the importance of tolerance. Through R.E we aspire to reflect and understand how our history has contributed to the culture and creativity of our nation.
Our religious education curriculum:
The guidance on Religious Education (RE) and Collective Worship in Academies can be viewed HERE
The Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education:
Religious Education (RE) is a statutory subject for all pupils in England, forming part of a broad and balanced curriculum. The RE curriculum aims to teach about Christianity, other world faiths and non-religious worldwide views, reflecting community diversity. RE supports spiritual, moral. Social and cultural (SMSC) development promotes community cohesion and upholds Fundamental British Values.
At Hawes Side Academy, we wish to be an inclusive community but recognise that parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their children form religious education on the grounds of conscience. However, the right of withdrawal does not extend to other areas of the curriculum when, as may happen on occasions, spontaneous questions on religious matters are raised by pupils or there are issues related to religion that arise in other subjects such as history.
We would ask any parent considering this to contact the Principal to discuss any concerns and anxieties about the policy, provision and practice of religious education at our academy.
Managing the Right of Withdrawal
The school will ensure that parents and carers who want to withdraw their children from RE are aware of the RE syllabus and that it is relevant to all pupils and respects their own personal beliefs.
· Parents and carers should be made aware of its learning objectives and what is covered in the RE curriculum and should be given the opportunity to discuss this if they wish.
· The use of the right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents and carers and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.
· Parents and carers have the right to choose whether to withdraw their child from RE without influence from the academy, although a school should ensure that parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus. In this way, parents can make an informed decision.
· Where parents and carers have requested that their child is withdrawn, their right must be respected, and where RE is integrated in the curriculum, the school will need to discuss the arrangements with the parents or carers to explore how the child’s withdrawal can be best accommodated.
· 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 or appropriate.