R.E at Water Leys

Our ambition for all pupils in Religious Education at Water Leys is that our children will become ‘RE literate’ and develop their understanding and curiosity about different world religions and beliefs. Children are given the understanding they need to explore their beliefs and opinions whilst accepting that different viewpoints are valid and worthwhile. Our aim is to develop confidence for expression and tolerance of others’ in society.  

At Water Leys Primary School, we teach RE using the 2022-26 Leicestershire Locally Agreed Syllabus. Whilst the units of work we have planned have been designed to teach our children a breadth religions and worldviews, we have provided opportunities to build upon prior learning, leading to a depth of knowledge. We planned our coverage with our local context in mind, ensuring it represents the diversity of our school.   

Our RE curriculum has been carefully sequenced so that the vocabulary and key concepts we want our children to learn develop progressively as children move along their curriculum journey from term to term and from year to year. This enables our pupils to develop an aptitude for dialogue concerning religions, world views and communities. We want to give our pupils the knowledge and understanding they need to express their own ideas, values and identities.  

At Water Leys, teachers plan RE by first considering the ‘WHAT’ we want our pupils to learn by using our Water Leys ‘ROCKS’. We then decide the most appropriate method to teach that curriculum content so that it will be memorable and learning will stick!  

The range of teaching approaches we use in RE will include the use of narrative (stories) to help embed abstract concepts and ideas, first-hand experiences through meeting people from different religions, studying religious objects and learning from religious art work. 

Whole School RE Curriculum Map

The Parental Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education

Religion and belief have become more visible in public life in recent years, making it important that all pupils should have an opportunity to engage in RE.   However, the parent of a pupil at a community, foundation or voluntary school (or pupils themselves if they are aged 18 or over) may request that they be excused from all or part of the religious education (RE) provided. 

Parents who wish to withdraw their children from RE should be aware of its aims and what is covered in the RE curriculum and that they are given the opportunity to discuss this if they wish. It should be made clear whether the withdrawal is from the whole RE curriculum or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.

Important - limitations to withdraw

• If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching.  A pupil may be required to work in another area of the school, such as library or intervention space.. 
• Whilst parents or carers have a right to withdraw children from RE, they should note that children may also encounter religions and beliefs and wider aspects of faith in other areas of the curriculum from which there is no right of withdrawal.
• On occasion, spontaneous questions about religious matters are raised by pupils or issues related to religion arise in other curriculum subjects such as history or PSHE.  For example, schools promote community cohesion and help pupils to understand ideas about identity and diversity, feelings and emotions within both religious and non-religious contexts. 

Managing the Right of Withdrawal  

Where a request for withdrawal is made, the school must comply and excuse the pupil until the request is rescinded. Though not legally required, it is good practice for a head teacher to invite parents to discuss their written request. 

(Section 71(3), School Standards and Framework Act 1998).

Collective Worship

Staff and children meet for daily collective worship, which takes a variety of forms. The content of our assemblies encourages a positive school ethos of caring, understanding and tolerance for all. Assemblies are used to reinforce and develop our school standards, school values and British values.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or any part of our collective worship. Any Parent wishing to exercise their right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship will need to contact the Headteacher to discuss arrangements for alternative provision.