R.E & P.S.H.E

Personal, Social and Health Education (P.S.H.E) is delivered through our academic curriculum, form time activities and assemblies. 

Pupils are encouraged to evaluate evidence, debate ideas, develop persuasive arguments and justify their conclusions. The study of Religious Education (R.E) and P.S.H.E allows pupils the opportunity to take action on moral and ethical issues they are passionate about both on a local and national level, thereby playing a positive role in society. Our curriculum is adapted to include current events in the world. 

R.E & P.S.H.E makes a unique contribution to the school by developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, practices, language, traditions, worldviews and their influence on individuals, communities, societies, and cultures. It enables pupils to consider and respond to a range of questions and the development of the pupils individual character. 

Through the R.E & P.S.H.E curriculums, we cover a range of religions as well as other crucial topics such as LGBTQ+, anti-racism, conflict  and mental health. We have a strong relationship and sex education (RSE) program to encourage our pupils to have the knowledge to live a healthy safe life. We understand we have an incredibly diverse community in Luton and this is something we want to celebrate with our pupils, allowing everyone to feel heard and appreciated.

R.E is for all pupils

Every pupil has a legal entitlement to R.E. R.E is a necessary part of a ‘broad and balanced curriculum’ and must be provided for all registered pupils in state-funded schools in England, unless withdrawn by their parents (or withdrawing themselves if they are aged 18 or over). The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the National Curriculum, R.E, and RSE.

R.E is locally determined, not nationally

A locally agreed syllabus is a statutory syllabus for R.E, recommended by a local standing advisory committee for R.E (SACRE) for adoption by a local authority. R.E is compulsory for all pupils in academies and free schools as set out in their funding agreements. This is a contractual responsibility. Academies may use their locally agreed syllabus, a different locally agreed syllabus (with the permission of the SACRE concerned) or may devise their own curriculum.

R.E is multifaith, and recognises the place of Christianity and the other principal religions in the UK. Non-religious worldviews are included. 

The R.E curriculum, drawn up by a SACRE or used by an academy or free school, ‘shall 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’. Contemporary guidance from the Government makes clear that the breadth of R.E will include the six principal religions of the UK and nonreligious worldviews.

Parental right of withdrawal from R.E

This was first granted in 1944 when curricular R.E was called ‘Religious Instruction’ and carried with it connotations of induction into the Christian faith. R.E is very different now – open, broad and exploring a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from R.E on the grounds that they wish to provide their own R.E. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school, including schools with and without a religious designation. Pupils aged 18 or over have the right to withdraw themselves from R.E. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE, and can do so without giving any explanation. (NATRE Guidance) 

Should you wish to withdraw your child from R.E, please contact Ms S Lewis (Associate Assistant Headteacher Humanities & PSHE) slewis@leamanorhighschool.org