Our school curriculum for religious education meets the requirements of the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA). The ERA stipulates that religious education is compulsory for all children, including those in the reception class who are less than five years old.

 

Section 71 of The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 allows parents to withdraw their child from religious education classes if they so wish, although this should be after discussion with the appropriate member of senior leadership team.

 

Section 59 of The Standards and Framework Act 1998 also allows teachers to refuse to teach religious education, but only after they have given due notice of their intention to the school governors. Section 60 of The Act sets out regulations as they relate to teachers in foundation or voluntary schools with a religious character.   The religious education curriculum forms an important part of our school’s spiritual, moral and social teaching and reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, and that it should, at the same time, take account of the teachings and practices of other major religions and promote education for citizenship.

 

Reserved teachers:

Section 58 of The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (as amended) requires the appointment, in VC, Foundation Schools and Academies with a designated religious character, of teachers who are able to provide religious education in accordance with the requirements of the trust deed of the school or in accordance with the tenets of the relevant religion or denomination.

These teachers are:

• Anthony Evans, Head Teacher
• Richard Fry, Deputy Head Teacher