Within Religious Education (RE) lessons at Belgrave St Peter’s, we aim to explore and understand the principles of major world religions, as well as the views of those who follow a humanist way of thinking. We do this through the lens of our deeply rooted Christian values of faith, love and hope.  

RE explores big questions about life, to find out what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live. We encourage pupils to reflect on their own beliefs, ideas and ways of living. We explore challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. Our curriculum for RE is structured through the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus alongside the Understanding Christianity scheme of work. We continue to build strong connections with Holy Trinity Church, as well as visiting other local religious communities so that our children can see how beliefs are lived out in everyday life. 

Children learn to explore worldviews in a safe space where they can develop their understanding, be curious and ask big questions. We teach them to express themselves and their beliefs, agreeing or disagreeing with others in a respectful manner.  

Withdrawal from RE

In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school, including schools with and without a religious designation. Students aged 18 or over have the right to withdraw themselves from RE. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE and can do so without giving any explanation. Teachers also have the right to withdraw from the teaching of RE. However, this does not apply to teachers who have been specifically employed to teach or lead RE. If a teacher wishes to withdraw from the teaching of RE, a letter requesting this must be submitted to the head of the school and its chair of governors. If a teacher withdraws from the teaching of RE, the school must still make provisions for the pupils to receive their entitlement to RE.

When a request to withdraw is received by a school, the request should be granted without delay. The school may offer to speak with the parent to try to understand the basis for the withdrawal but only after the request has been granted. The school must make clear that the parent’s right to withdraw their child has been granted and that they are not required to give reasons for their request.

Should parents take up the offer of a discussion, the school may seek to establish the religious issues about which the parent objects to their child being taught. Discussion may include the practical implications of withdrawal and the circumstances in which it may be reasonable to accommodate their wishes. Practical examples of how a school may reassure a parent who has withdrawn their child may include inviting the parent to observe a RE lesson, discussing curriculum documents and discussing the aims of RE in your school with them.