RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The principal aim of Religious Education (RE) is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.
Religious Education is for all pupils and is a necessary part of a ‘broad and balanced curriculum’. Every pupil of compulsory school age has a legal entitlement to receive this. RE is compulsory for all pupils in academies as set out in their funding agreements. Therefore, RE must be provided for all registered pupils in the state-funded education system in England.
The school curriculum includes the National Curriculum, RE and Relationships & Sex Education. The RE curriculum is determined locally, not nationally. Therefore, a locally agreed syllabus is the statutory syllabus for RE, recommended by a local standing advisory committee for RE (SACRE). At Oakwood Primary Academy we follow the Plymouth Agreed Syllabus 2019-2024, published by Plymouth SACRE.
In our Early Years Foundation Stage, Religious Education (RE) is taught within the Area 'Understanding of the World - People, Culture and Communities'. Children begin to explore the world of religion in terms of special people, books, times, objects, visiting places of worship and through celebration. Children listen to and talk about stories, including those from the Bible. They are introduced to key vocabulary linked to religion and belief. They reflect upon their own feelings and experiences and use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation and wonder of the world in which they live. Children encounter Christianity and other faiths as part of their growing sense of self, their own community and their place within it. Harvest, Diwali, Christmas, Chinese New Year and Easter are explored at the appropriate times of year, along with other important festivals.
In Key Stage 1 and 2, Religious Education is based upon the Plymouth Agreed Syllabus. The principal religions and non-religious worldviews represented in the UK are explored through 'Key Questions' such as:
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Why is Christmas special to Christians?
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Who is Jewish and how do they live?
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What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?
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How and why do people mark the significant events of life?
These key questions are explored through the study of sacred texts, through creative arts, with visiting speakers, visits to places of worship and with lively discussion and debate.
Withdrawal from RE
At Oakwood Primary Academy we believe that quality RE teaching enables children to understand and explore the beliefs of others and the impact that these beliefs have on how they live. In turn, children are able to acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills required to handle questions of religion and belief and become learners who reflect on their own personal ideas, beliefs and values.
However, parents do have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and/or collective worship. From the age of 16, pupils can choose for themselves to opt out of collective worship if they wish. However, they cannot opt out of receiving religious education without parental consent until they are 18.
If you would like to withdraw your child from RE, please contact the Head of School.