Dear Parents/Carers
Visits to Multi Faith Centres or Centres of faith
As a non-denominational (non-faith) school, Ashgate Primary School works closely with the local community to ensure children are educated and informed around religions / faith represented in their local community. This includes visits to, for example, St Barnabus Church (CofE), Ashbourne Road Church, The Multi Faith Centre and other faith-based places of worship.
Children visiting these centres DO NOT participate in any aspect of religious worship and are not placed in a position to compromise their own beliefs or faith.
Religious instruction is not undertaken and information shared is focussed on understanding of cultures, beliefs and practices.
Clarification is provided below on the nature of and provision for schools in England and the teaching of religious education.
The Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE) at Ashgate Primary School is that of Derbyshire and Derby City Local Authority, this is available for view in the school policy/documents section of the school website, along with the Religious Education Policy.
Ashgate Primary School is located in Derby City which has a diverse cultural and religious community. This is why (other than legally binding Curriculum requirements) children are supported in understanding the diversity of their community religious traditions in their community and their forms of worship.
Why is Religious Education Important?
Religious Education has never been more relevant, engaging or challenging as religion & religious issues are in the news every day. For pupils to be able to understand our constantly changing world they need to be able to interpret religious issues & evaluate their significance. From the pupils first day at school RE gives students valuable insights into the diverse beliefs & opinions held by people today. It helps with their own personal development & supports an understanding of the spiritual, moral, social & cultural questions that surface again & again in their lives.
In tackling difficult questions it provides pupils with insight that can work to challenge stereotypes, promote cohesion, and tackle extremism. RE does important work encouraging young people to value themselves & the communities within which they live.
Religious Education
RE can help:
RE in British Schools is
In RE pupils learn about:
The right to withdraw a child from Religious Education
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of RE and/or collective worship, however, in doing so the responsibility lies with them to provide the Religious Education for the child.
When a parent removes their child from the child will remain in school; however, this should not incur extra cost to the school i.e. a child need not necessarily be supervised by a teacher or an assistant in a room on their own.
Parents do not have the right to withdraw their children from other curriculum subjects (with the exception of sexual education) even when they cover aspects of religions and beliefs. Parents cannot determine the nature of content in these subjects. For example, pupils may encounter some religious ideas, beliefs or practices through Art, Music, Geography, English, History. Parents have a right to withdraw their children from the teaching of Religious Education not the reference to religions in other curriculum areas.