Religious Education (RE)

Click here for our progression in Religious Education (RE)

Greentrees Primary School believes that it is important for children to learn about the beliefs and values held by others. The acquisition of skills and attitudes developed through Religious Education are an important part of the development of children’s learning and are crucial for their lives as members of a multicultural society. Religious Education is not simply just teaching religious faiths and beliefs, but giving children the opportunity of exploring the spiritual and moral dimensions of life in a safe, supportive environment.

Parents have the legal right to withdraw pupils from RE, however we hope this would be a last resort due to the importance of the learning involved and the understanding about the world and our community. If parents would like to begin the process of withdrawal, this must first be discussed with the class teacher, RE lead and Head teacher. This will involve a meeting where we will share with parents the learning objectives and more detail of what is covered in the RE curriculum, ensuring that parents have all the information required to make a fully informed decision. If the parent chooses to go ahead and withdraw their child from RE, this must be given to the school in writing by the parent. No reason needs to be given for the decision but we will review the decision with the family at the start of each new school year.

Please note that the right of withdrawal from RE lessons does not extend to other areas of the curriculum when, as may happen on occasion, spontaneous questions on religious matters are raised by pupils or there are issues related to religion that arise in other subjects such as History or PSHE.