Collective Worship and RE Lessons

Collective Worship and RE Statement

Collective Worship

The DfE circular 1/94 guidance on collective worship explains that collective worship in

schools without a designated religious character will be "wholly or mainly of a broadly

Christian nature".

At Thelwall Infant School and Nursery children participate in Collective Worship every day.

This takes different forms – class times, year group times, whole school. This mostly takes

place in the hall but some Collective Worship takes place in classrooms. Our Collective

Worship centres round our school values. World religions and beliefs are also explored

Visitors are sometimes invited to lead collective worship. Children are encouraged to reflect

on the stories that they are told. Staff and visitors explain beliefs by using specific language

such as ‘Christians believe...’, ‘Hindus believe...’

Thelwall Infant school and Nursery has a school prayer/reflection statement. The purpose of this is so that the children feel they ‘belong’ and can collectively celebrate.

Parent/carers may withdraw their child from Collective Worship. Please put this request in

writing to the Head Teacher.

Suitable provision will be made for any child being withdrawn from collective worship or RE

lessons after consultation with the parents/carers.

The Teaching of RE

‘Although there is not a National Curriculum for RE, all maintained schools must follow the

National Curriculum requirements to teach a broad and balanced curriculum, which includes

RE. All maintained schools therefore have a statutory duty to teach RE. (National

Curriculum in England: Framework Document, DfE, September 2013, p.4)

The RE curriculum is determined by the local Standing Advisory Council on Religious

Education (SACRE), which is responsible for producing the locally agreed syllabus for RE.

Agreed Syllabuses used in schools (maintained or academy), which are not designated with

a religious character must ‘reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in

the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal

religions represented in Great Britain’. Schools with a religious designation may prioritise

one religion in their RE curriculum, but all schools must recognise diverse religions and

systems of belief in the UK both locally and nationally.

RE is provided for all pupils, and is inclusive and broad minded. Parents do have the right to

withdraw pupils from RE: if you wish to do this, make an appointment with the Head

Teacher.

Religious education encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and

traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning. It challenges pupils to

reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics

and to communicate their responses.

At Thelwall Infant school we believe that teaching religious education can encourage pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community. Religious education has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.

We follow the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for RE:

EARLY YEARS AND FOUNDATION STAGE

The Early Years and Foundation stage describes the phase of a child’s education from birth

to the end of reception. Religious education is statutory for all registered pupils on the

school roll.

During the early years and foundation stage children begin to explore the world of religion

in terms of special people, books, times, places and objects, and visiting places of worship.

Children listen to and talk about stories. They are introduced to specialist words and use

their senses in exploring religious beliefs, practices and forms of expression. They should be

encouraged to reflect upon their own feelings and experiences in talk and by sharing experiences. They use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation and wonder of the world in which they live.

KEY STAGE 1 (year 1 and 2)

Learning about religion:

Pupils should be taught to:

·        explore a range of religious stories and sacred writings, and talk about their meanings;

·        name and explore a range of celebrations, worship and rituals in religion, noting both similarities where appropriate;

·        identify the importance, for some people, of belonging to a religion and recognise the difference this makes to their lives;

·        explore how religious beliefs and ideas can be expressed through the creative and expressive arts and communicate their responses

·        identify and suggest meanings for religious symbols and begin to use a range of religious

·        words

Learning from religion:

Pupils should be taught to:

·        reflect upon and consider religious and spiritual feelings, experiences and concepts, for example worship, wonder, praise, thanks, concern, joy and sadness;

·        ask and respond imaginatively to puzzling questions, communicating their ideas;

·        identify what matters to them and others, including those with religious commitments, and communicate their responses;

·     recognise how religious teachings and ideas about values, particularly those concerned with right and wrong, justice and injustice, make a difference to individuals, families and the local community.