At Edward Pauling Primary School, we aim to provide Religious Education that nurtures curiosity and empathy, helping learners understand the importance of values to people of faith.

We aim to: 

*Deliver lessons that will develop our children’s knowledge and curiosity

*Introduce religious concepts in a classroom setting that fosters enjoyment and curiosity. Children are guided through using varied activities that promote equal access for all

*Ensure all pupils can succeed in learning about all areas of RE and are able to share their own experiences and learning

*Explicitly teach about other religions to allow our children to have a broad understanding of all world faiths

*Create a safe environment to allow all to ask questions and share their thoughts so they can be discussed openly as a class

*Encourage questions and different points of view to allow for positive discussions and learning from our peers

          

Parental right to withdraw a child from Religious Education (RE)

At Edward Pauling Primary School we teach RE in line with the locally agreed syllabus and aim to ensure lessons are respectful, inclusive and age‑appropriate. Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE lessons.

If you are considering withdrawal, please contact the Headteacher, Mr Adam Malin, to discuss your concerns first. If you decide to proceed, please send a brief written request to the school office (email: office@edwardpauling.sch.uk / FAO Headteacher). The school will:

• confirm receipt of your request in writing;

• discuss appropriate arrangements with you and offer a meeting if helpful;

• provide suitable supervised alternative activities for your child during RE lessons.

Please note that withdrawn pupils will still take part in collective acts of worship unless you ask for withdrawal from those separately. We keep a record of requests and will review arrangements with you if your circumstances change.

If you would like to talk this through before making a decision, please contact the school office or request an appointment with Mr Malin.

Collective Worship

We see school worship as an educational opportunity with clear objectives. We use this time to encourage children to:

• Show interest in, and a concern for, members of the school community
• Celebrate special occasions together
• Show concern for the daily happenings in school life, the local community, the wider world
• Share appreciation of worthwhile projects undertaken by groups within the school
• Explore and review the variety of values, attitudes, standards, manifested in religions and society
• We reflect on our place in the world and how to keep ourselves and our peers safe in different situations.

At Edward Pauling Primary School, we apply for a Determination which allows us to have Collective Worship which reflects not only the Christian faith, but also the faiths and traditions of our wider school community. A Determination must be applied for via the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) that operates in Hounslow and renewed every five years.

Next Renewal: We are currently in the process of dappling for a Determination 

We expect all children to attend assembly. However, any parent can request permission for their child to be excused from attending collective worship and the school will make alternative arrangements for the supervision of the child during the period concerned. Parents do not have to explain or give reasons for this. This complies with the 1944 Education Act and was restated in the 1968 Education Reform Act. Teachers are required to attend assemblies as part of their conditions of service. Any staff member wishing to withdraw for collective worship must discuss the matter with the Head teacher.

If a parent has a complaint about Collective Worship then a meeting is held with the Head Teacher. If the matter cannot be resolved then it is sent to the Chair of Governors. Where agreement is still not reached, then the parent can take the matter to the Local Authority. This is in line with the school’s general Complaints Procedure.