Religious Education and Collective Worship
Non-denominational Religious Education is provided for all children as part of the curriculum and is in accordance with the locally agreed Religious Education syllabus.
Our daily collective worship is an important part of the school day when we meet together as a community and it is a time when we place emphasis on the development of values and attitudes towards each other and the world around us.
Collective worships are non-denominational and although they are of a broadly Christian nature, due consideration is given to the multicultural society in which we live.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship should they so wish and should inform us in writing if this is the case. Their child can then be excused and alternative arrangements can be made.
Religious Education is not part of the National Curriculum and the school chooses to adopt the Locally Agreed Policy which supports us in fully recognising the contribution that the teaching of Religious Education, both explicitly and implicitly, can make on ensuring that our agreed “ethos” can live and be exemplified in the day-to-day life at Shipham First School. The subject area contributes to promoting respect for others, the challenge of stereotypes and helps to build understanding of other cultures and beliefs. Religious Education provides an opportunity to promote fundamental British values, defined as democracy, the rule of law, individuality and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different beliefs. This Policy includes focus on particular religions and movements including: Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.