Religious Education
Religious Education at St Andrew’s is at the very heart of the curriculum and reflects our whole school Christian values. We aim to challenge the children to develop enquiring minds through creative and distinctive teaching and learning opportunities. We want to give our children the opportunity to explore their understanding of faith by learning about and learning from religion. As a Church of England School, we focus predominantly on the Christian faith whilst developing a deeper respect, understanding and tolerance of other major world faiths. Alongside this we actively support the children in developing their social, moral, spiritual and cultural wellbeing in order to prepare them well for the challenges they may face in the future.
Cross Curricular Learning
At St Andrew's we aim to make connections between different areas of the curriculum. Religious Education is no different - we link our RE studies to any other areas that are appropriate. This way the children can remember and embed new ideas, concepts and skills.
Our Learning
We follow Blackburn Diocese Questful RE curriculum.
Please click here to view the whole school plan for RE:
Right to Withdraw from Religious Education
Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education. Please see the information below that explains the statutory requirements for withdrawal from R.E. lessons. However, it is essential that parents meet with us in school so they can make an informed decision and we can understand how best to meet your child's needs. It should be noted that in application to this school you have chosen for your child to attend an Church of England School and that the school has expectations in response to this in terms of participation in school life and the curriculum.
The Right to Withdraw from RE
Statutory duties: The use of the right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents (or pupils themselves if they are aged 18 or over), and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.
Statutory guidance allows a parent to withdraw their child from a specific activity, such as a visit to a place of worship, and not to withdraw the child from the remainder of their RE.
Parents have the right to choose whether or not to withdraw their child from RE without influence from the school, although a school should ensure that parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus. In this way, parents can make an informed decision.
If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Pupils will usually remain on school premises. Where a pupil has been withdrawn, the law provides for alternative arrangements to be made for RE of the kind the parent wants the pupil to receive. This RE could be provided at the school in question, or the pupil could be sent to another school where suitable RE is provided, if this is reasonably convenient. If neither approach is practicable, outside arrangements can be made to provide the pupil with the kind of RE that the parent wants, and the pupil may be withdrawn from school for a reasonable period of time to allow them to attend this external RE. Outside arrangements for RE are allowed as long as the LA is satisfied that any interference with the pupil’s attendance at school resulting from the withdrawal will affect only the start or end of a school session. (Non-statutory Guidance 2010) (Blackburn Diocese)