Religious Education

The Parkside Religious Education Curriculum

Parents may have questions about RE learning at Parkside. It is helpful to explain the subject’s key aims: broad minded engagement with all of the biggest questions of life, and the different answers given by religions and worldviews.

In this page we want to explain why it is important to teach this subject as part of the National Curriculum.

RE is helpful because...

• Issues of religion and belief frequently top the news agenda and RE helps children and young people to make sense of them.

• RE encourages children and young people growing up in a diverse society to understand the varied views and opinions of people whose beliefs and values differ from their own, promoting not just tolerance but genuine understanding and respect for other people.

• RE provides space for young people to reflect on their own ideas and develop their thoughts about questions of meaning and ethics such as these: Who am I? Why are we here? What will give us courage and love in life? Why are some people very committed to their religions, and others not at all?

By having access to good RE in schools, young people are equipped to handle issues in their own lives, preparing them for the workplace and adult life in modern, diverse Britain.

RE teaching has changed a lot over the last few decades. These days the subject is open hearted and enables all children to learn about different religions and beliefs in the UK. RE is not about trying to convert children to one view or another.

Many children especially enjoy the ways RE enables them to discuss big questions and ideas and think for themselves about the question’s humanity has always seen as important but mysterious.

RE teaching is open to all ideas and opinions, teaching children to be reasonable about beliefs. The subject does not seek to convert anyone. These lessons do not aim to make people ‘more religious’ in any way.

Our principle aims for RE learning across the school are:

We discover what people believe.

We see what difference this makes to their lives.

We reflect on our own ideas and ways of living.

We ask questions about religion and beliefs.

Withdrawal from RE lessons

Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory part of the curriculum at our school. We believe that RE plays an important role in helping our pupils develop their understanding of different religions and beliefs, and how these shape individuals and communities.

However, we recognise that parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE lessons. If you wish to withdraw your child from RE, please contact the school office. We would be happy to discuss your reasons and provide more information about the RE curriculum, but you do not need to provide a reason for the withdrawal request.

Please note that the right of withdrawal does not extend to other areas of the curriculum where religious topics may arise, such as history, art or literature lessons. In these cases, we will aim to ensure that all pupils can participate fully.

If you have any other questions about RE at our school, please don't hesitate to get in touch.