The aims of Religious Education (RE)
At Churchtown we aim to promote understanding and respect for a variety of religious beliefs, practices, and values. RE seeks to foster the development of pupils' personal and spiritual growth, encouraging them to reflect on their own beliefs and those of others. It aims to enhance pupils' awareness of diverse cultures and traditions, helping them develop empathy and tolerance in an increasingly globalized society. By exploring moral and ethical questions, RE also supports the development of critical thinking and helps pupils understand the significance of religion in shaping individual lives, communities, and societies. Ultimately, RE aims to cultivate an environment where pupils can engage with and appreciate the rich diversity of world religions while respecting others' perspectives.
How we deliver the RE curriculum
Churchtown Primary School delivers its Religious Education (RE) curriculum through a balanced and inclusive approach, ensuring that pupils are exposed to a variety of world religions and encouraged to explore both the similarities and differences between them. The curriculum is designed, following the Sefton Agreed Syllabus for teaching Religious Education, to be engaging and thought-provoking, with a focus on fostering respect, empathy, and critical thinking. At Churchtown, RE lessons are often linked to real-world experiences, with visits to local places of worship, guest speakers, and opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own values and beliefs. The school embraces a child-centred approach, encouraging open discussion and creative activities that allow pupils to express their understanding in diverse ways, such as through art, drama, and storytelling. This approach ensures that pupils not only learn about religious traditions but also develop a deeper understanding of how these beliefs shape individuals and communities.
Right to be withdrawn from RE
Whilst we are committed to providing our children with rich learning experiences which promote understanding and respect of other faiths, we recognise that some families would prefer children not to participate in some or parts of RE sessions. In these situations, parents/carers should request a meeting with the headteacher to discuss arrangements that can be put into place.
Important - limitations to withdrawal
· If pupils are withdrawn from an RE lesson, school do have a responsibility to ensure children are supervised, but not to provide additional teaching.
· Whilst parents/carers have a right to withdraw from RE, they should be aware that children may also encounter religious beliefs and wider aspects of faith in other areas of the curriculum, from which they have no right to remove. For example, children may learn about cultures and practices as part of their work in Modern Foreign Languages, history or geography.
· On some occasions, spontaneous questions about religious matters are raised by pupils in subjects such as Personal, Social, Health and Education (PSHE). The school promotes community cohesion and seeks to help pupils to understand ideas about identity and diversity, which may come from religious and non-religious contexts.
