At North Cadbury C of E Primary School we believe that our Religious Education goes hand in hand with our learning about British Values, our Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) and our Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural development (SMSC) as they all make up our characteristics and help us understand why it is essential to be guided by good morals and kind instincts throughout our lives.

It is our aim to enable the children at North Cadbury to learn about and experience elements of world religions, tradition and culture. We help our children discover what their personal beliefs and values are and we question any stereotypical or fixed ideas they may have. We teach them to become respectful, polite and tolerant members of society. RE is also an opportunity for our children to quietly reflect, think and develop a sense of awe and wonder.

Similarly, through PSHE and British Values we provide our children with the knowledge they need to look after their own physical and mental health, their personal safety and wellbeing both now and in their future.  We believe that by enabling children to develop an understanding of the world around them, they better understand that the choices they make have consequences. This helps us prepare our children for their adult lives and is very important to us as a church school. It also helps our children fully develop their social and communication skills, and understand the different types of relationships they will form throughout their lives, and to recognise what is and is not a positive relationship.

Curriculum

Religious Education (RE), Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) are both concerned with aspects of the education and development of the whole person and each has its own particular contribution to make in developing well rounded children who will become responsible citizens.

Through the RE curriculum we make a key contribution to pupils’ personal development generally and also to school’s provision for PSHE for example by providing opportunities for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

As Britain is a multi-cultural nation with Christianity as the main religion of the population, Christianity receives the appropriate weighting within the religious education curriculum. Due consideration within this framework is given to other world religions. Respect, tolerance and understanding for the beliefs of others are promoted as part of our programme.

The school meets together for regular collective worship and it is an important part of our school life. Parents have the right to withdraw children from religious lessons and collective worship in assemblies but it must be understood that such activities make a contribution to cross-curricular objectives pursued during the course of the school week.

Religious Education and Parents’ Right to Withdraw

At North Cadbury, Religious Education (RE) is taught as part of our broad and balanced curriculum and reflects the values of our school community. RE helps children develop an understanding of different beliefs, values, and traditions, encouraging respect and empathy for others.

Under the Education Act 1996 and subsequent legislation, parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education if they wish. This right applies to RE provided in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus, as well as any additional religious instruction that may take place.

If you are considering withdrawing your child from any aspect of RE, we encourage you to discuss this with the school first, so that we can talk through the aims and content of the lessons and address any concerns. Alternative arrangements will be made for pupils who are withdrawn.