The Right of Withdrawal from Religious Education
At Warden Hill Junior School, Religious Education (RE) is an important part of our broad and balanced curriculum. It helps pupils explore and understand a range of religious beliefs and worldviews, encouraging respect, tolerance, and curiosity about the world around them. Our RE curriculum is designed in line with the locally agreed syllabus and reflects the diverse nature of modern Britain.
What does the law say?
Parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child wholly or partly from Religious Education (RE), as set out in the Education Act 1996. This includes both classroom-based RE lessons and, where relevant, visits linked specifically to the RE curriculum. This right applies to all pupils in all maintained schools in England, including academies.
There is no requirement for parents or carers to explain their reasons for seeking withdrawal. However, we do encourage you to speak with a member of the leadership team so we can discuss any concerns, clarify what is taught, and explore possible solutions.
Our approach
At Warden Hill, RE is taught in an inclusive, objective and respectful manner. We do not promote any one faith but aim to foster understanding and awareness of different religious and non-religious worldviews. We believe this is vital in preparing pupils for life in a diverse society and in promoting British values such as mutual respect and individual liberty.
Where parents choose to withdraw their child, the school will make reasonable arrangements. This may include supervised alternative work. However, please be aware that we are not required to provide alternative curriculum content during this time.
How to request a withdrawal
If you are considering withdrawing your child from RE lessons, please:
- Contact the Headteacher or a member of the senior leadership team to arrange a meeting.
- Confirm your decision in writing, outlining whether the withdrawal is full or partial.
We remain committed to working in partnership with families and will do our best to accommodate individual needs while upholding our responsibilities to deliver a rich and inclusive curriculum.