Right to Withdraw

PLEASE NOTE -  

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education in accordance with Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. 

However, we hope that all parents will feel comfortable with the type of religious education being taught in our school. 

In the first instance, parents who may wish to exercise this right should make an appointment with the Headteacher who will explore any concerns and discuss any impact that withdrawal may have on the child. 

We will ensure that parents who want to withdraw their children from RE are aware of the RE syllabus and its relevance to all pupils, and respects their own personal beliefs. Parents will be made aware of the learning objectives and what is covered in the RE curriculum and will be given the opportunity to discuss this, if they wish.

At The Prince of Wales School we will review such a request each year, in discussion with the parents. 

The right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given. Where parents have requested that their child is withdrawn, their right will be respected, and where RE is integrated in the curriculum, the school will need to discuss the arrangements with the parents or carers to explore how the child’s withdrawal can be best accommodated. 

Once a child has been withdrawn, they cannot take part in the RE programme until the request for withdrawal has been removed. 

Providing an alternative to RE lessons 

We have a duty to supervise any pupils who have been withdrawn from RE, but not to: 

• Provide additional teaching that is not RE 

• Incur extra cost 

We will not ask parents/carers to supervise their children if they’re withdrawn from RE. 

However we can make alternative arrangements for providing RE of the kind the parent/carer wants the child to receive. 

This is provided for in law, under section 71(3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 for maintained schools. 

This might involve: 

• Providing the relevant RE at our school 

• Sending the pupil to another school that provides suitable RE, if practical

 • Withdrawing the pupil from school for a “reasonable period of time” to attend external RE 

Trips to places of worship

Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their child from any trip that is part of the RE curriculum.

 We will meet with any concerned parents/carers to: 

• Explain what will happen on the trip, and how it links to the pupil's learning 

• Invite the parent/carer to attend the trip 

• Explain any adverse effects on the pupil of not attending the trip, e.g. not getting the opportunity to visit a new place they might not experience otherwise

At The Prince of Wales School we endeavour to foster good relations between individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, and this fits into our curriculum, in keeping with the Equality Act 2010.