RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

At St. Michael’s we believe in educating the whole child and helping children grow as thoughtful, compassionate citizens, underpinned by Gospel values. RE is a core subject, taught weekly with the same rigour as English and Maths.

Our curriculum:

• Encourages theological understanding and respect for all faiths.

• Explores Christian teachings alongside other world religions.

• Promotes reflection and critical thinking through “Big Questions.”

• Connects learning with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), developing children’s awareness of rights and responsibilities.

How We Teach RE

We follow the Board’s RE syllabus and schemes of work.

• Learning is explored through three lenses:

  • Philosophical (thinking – head)

  • Theological (believing – heart)

  • Human and Social Sciences (living – hands)

• Lessons are enriched by off-site visits, theatre workshops, visiting speakers, and strong links with art, technology, music, and drama.

• In EYFS, RE is taught through Understanding the World.

• Years 1-6, children receive 1 hour of RE each week.

Parent Right of Withdrawal

In accordance with UK law, as a Church of England voluntary aided school, parents have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (RE) and/or Collective Worship.

At St. Michael’s we encourage all children to participate fully in RE and Worship, as these are central to our school’s vision and ethos. However, if you wish to exercise your right of withdrawal, please contact the Headteacher in writing to discuss your request.

To date, no parent has chosen to withdraw their child from RE or Worship at St. Michael’s, reflecting the value families place on this important part of our curriculum and community life.

The “Big Questions” Approach

We encourage staff and children to engage in philosophical enquiry. Children explore “Big Questions” about life, belief, and values. This approach:

• Builds skills in negotiation, tolerance, and respectful debate.

• Encourages children to articulate and explore their own values.

• Helps pupils grow as confident, thoughtful individuals.

As one pupil put it: “RE helps us think about our faith and understand others.”

Collective Worship

Daily acts of Collective Worship are central to life at St. Michael’s. Through worship, discussion, and classroom reflection, children:

• Explore Christian values such as forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation.

• Reflect on weekly themes that link to both the Bible and everyday life.

• Connect with the wider community through church services and charitable work.

Pupil Voice

Our pupils value RE and worship because it helps them reflect, connect with others, and prepare for the future. Here are some of their reflections:

“It prepares us for the future by teaching respect and compassion.”

“We get opportunities to connect with the community through church services.”

“Our school helps us learn about other faiths in our world.”

Wider Community Links

St. Michael’s is proud to be recognised as a centre of reconciliation and support. Pupils are encouraged to:

• Reflect and ‘move on’ positively.

• Practise forgiveness and reconciliation as life skills.

• Contribute to the wider community through worship, service, and outreach.

We also work closely with Wandsworth Church Schools within a cluster, sharing best practice and supporting schools beyond our own community.

Leadership and Governance

• An RE Link Governor works closely with leaders to support and challenge RE development.

• The school fully complies with the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for RE and Collective Worship, with a localised response that is reviewed termly.

• Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from RE, but to date, no child has been withdrawn.

Statement of Entitlement

As a Church of England school, St. Michael’s is fully compliant with the Church of England Education Office Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education. This ensures that:

• RE is taught as a core subject with academic rigour.

• Pupils gain a deep understanding of Christianity, while also exploring other world faiths and worldviews.

• RE fosters respect, compassion, and understanding, preparing children to live well together in a diverse society.

Our Response at St. Michael’s

We have developed a localised response to the Statement of Entitlement, which is reviewed each term. This shows how the principles of the Statement are lived out in our school. Examples include:

• A curriculum structured through Philosophical, Theological, and Human/Social Sciences lenses.

• A “Big Questions” approach that encourages enquiry, reflection, and discussion.

• Enrichment through visits, workshops, and community links.

• Close alignment with our school vision and values of Love, Serve, Grow.

See below for our full St. Michael’s Response to the Statement of Entitlement:

 St. Michael’s Response to the Statement of Entitlement

Achievements

• St. Michael’s holds the RE Quality Mark Gold Award (2019), recognising excellence in RE.

“The school was exceptionally well prepared… Staff were well informed and had a clear vision on the impact of quality RE on the whole school community.” – REQM Assessor

This way, you:

• Lead with ethos → explain teaching → highlight pupil experience → show community/leadership → celebrate achievements.

• Use clear headings and bullet points for readability.

• Keep pupil voice quotes but position them strategically as evidence.