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Castle Newnham

Religious Studies

Our Vision of Religious Studies

Religious beliefs and Worldviews continue to play a vital role in the World today; they have an impact on events nationally and internationally and these can be both positive and negative; it is therefore vitally important that we develop religious literacy in our pupils. It is our intent at Castle Newnham School to offer a thought provoking and inspiring curriculum which seeks to engage and therefore our pupils to develop their own views on religious, philosophical and ethical matters as well as equipping them with the skills needed to question and reflect on other views.

Curriculum Intent

Pupils are encouraged to:

  1. Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of major worldviews.
  2. Explore religious and non religious responses to ultimate questions and engage critically with the response.
  3. Respond and reflect on own responses to ultimate questions and present these ideas clearly and confidently.
  4. Recognise and reflect on the role that religion has in society.
  5. Embed Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural skills
  6. Develop the following skills
    • Empathy
    • Explanation and analysis
    • Balanced arguments
    • Evaluation
    • Application of religious ideas

The teaching of RS makes links between the beliefs, practices and value systems of a range of faiths and world-views studied. The RS curriculum will help to develop responsibility and respect for all aspects of diversity, whether it be social, cultural and religious, and prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain.

Special Educational Needs Disability (SEND) / Pupil Premium / Higher Attainers

All children will have Quality First Teaching. Any children with identified SEND or in receipt of pupil premium funding will have reasonable adjustments made that are additional to or different from their peers in order to support them to access the curriculum. All reasonable adjustments made are based around the individual and their needs.

As well as this, our school offers a demanding and varied curriculum, providing children with a range of opportunities in order for them to reach their full potential and consistently achieve highly from their starting points.

Parental right to withdraw children from RS

The right of parents to withdraw their children from religious education (RE) lessons is set out in section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

A parent of a student at an academy can request that their child is wholly or partly excused from:

  • Receiving RS given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum
  • Attendance at religious worship in the school.

Parents who withdraw their child from all or part of the school’s RS curriculum do not have to provide a reason. The school must comply with their request, although a school should ensure parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RS syllabus.

If students are withdrawn from RS, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Students will usually remain on school premises. Parents are not permitted to supervise their child during these lessons.

The rules that apply to withdrawing students from RS lessons do not apply to other lessons that look at religion. Therefore, a student cannot be withdrawn from any National Curriculum subject, even if they teach about religion, other than RS or some aspects of sex and relationship education (RSE).

If you think you would like to discuss withdrawing your child from RS lessons, please contact the school, for the attention of Mr Dawson (Primary) or Mr Stevens (Secondary) - Assistant Headteachers for the Curriculum. 

Curriculum Implementation

Year Group Content

Our curriculum follows the RE Agreed Syllabus for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton.

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