Religious Education
The Intent of our RE Curriculum
At Aughton St. Michael’s CE, Christian Values underpin everything we do and RE is an integral part of the children's learning journey. It examines world views and religions from three different viewpoints: what they believe (theology), why they believe (philosophy) and how this affects people’s lives (human and social science). Through RE and times of celebration, outdoor learning, visits to places of worship and worship, children will be equipped to develop their sense of identity and self-awareness through reflection on their own beliefs and values.
Our aim is to develop pupils who are able to think about life’s biggest questions, who are comfortable with their beliefs, and are able to hold informed, well-balanced conversations with people of any belief system.
This is in line with our School Mission statement: which is to nurture a loving, friendly family ethos, which celebrates the different gifts God has given everyone and encourages the use and development of these talents (Romans 12:6). For all our family to flourish we aim to foster an environment that is honest and respectful and guide each other in a challenging, positive, kind and collaborative way. Consequently, our school family will feel supported to take risks in the knowledge they are free to fail and that we will, “encourage one another and build each other up”, to have the confidence and belief to try again (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The vision can be summarised in our School Motto.
Encourage Guide Support Celebrate
We teach a rich and deep curriculum based on units from SACRE and supplement with units from the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education's curriculum. The majority - about 60% - of our RE teaching is based on the Christian faith but every year group spends time learning about other faiths, visiting other places of worship and comparing Christian festivals with those of other religions.
The Implementation of our RE Curriculum
RE is a core subject taught across the school on a weekly basis. We teach a rich and deep curriculum based on the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education's curriculum and supplemented with units from SACRE. The majority - about 60% - of our RE teaching is based on the Christian faith but every year group spends time learning about other faiths, visiting other places of worship and comparing Christian festivals with those of other religions. This syllabus, approved in line with the law, by the Agreed Syllabus Conference, SACRE and the Local Authority, explains all the requirements for the RE curriculum in Lancashire schools. It outlines statutory requirements and also the programmes of study for each key stage.
Our RE teaching is based on an inquiry-based approach. This starts with a question or problem that the children then have to apply themselves to answer. Learning experiences include: roleplay, discussion, art, interactive resources, visitors and visits to places of worship.
Legal Requirements
The primary legislation passed with regard to RE between 1944 and 1993 was consolidated by The Education Act (1996) and the School Standards and Framework Act (1998). Circular 1/94 and the subsequent revision of this guidance in 2010 (Religious Education in English Schools: Non-Statutory Guidance 2010) offered an interpretation of the legislation.
Religious Education must be taught to all registered pupils in maintained schools, including those in reception and the sixth form, except to those withdrawn by their parents (s.352(1) (a)). This requirement does not apply to nursery classes in maintained schools, but it does apply as far as is practical to pupils in special schools and PRUs. The Religious Education curriculum is set locally not nationally. In Lancashire, Religious Education must be provided in accordance with the current Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2021.
Religious education must be taught in accordance with the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus in all: a) Community schools and b) Foundation and Voluntary controlled schools (SSFA 1998 paras 2(1) and 2(2) Schedule 19)
Right to Withdraw
There is a legal right of parental withdrawal from Religious Education. Parents have a legal right to withdraw their child/children from part of or the whole of the RE curriculum provided by the school.