Here at Simonside, we believe that Religious Education has a significant role for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs, and encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging through self-awareness and reflection. The principle aim of RE is to engage pupils in an enquiry approach, where they can develop an understanding and appreciation for the expression of beliefs, cultural practices and influence of principle religions and world views in the local, national and wider global community. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences to develop empathy and respect. We use the agreed South Tyneside Religious Education syllabus as the basis for our curriculum.

Parents/ carers can choose to withdraw their child from some or all RE lessons. Parents/ carers also have the right to withdraw their child from any educational visit that is part of the RE curriculum. Parents/ carers can only withdraw their child from RE and not other curriculum areas. For example, children can not be withdrawn from a study of religious art in an art lesson. If parents/ carers wish to withdraw their child from receiving the RE curriculum, they should contact the Headteacher to discuss this further. Parents/ carers should also inform the school if they no longer wish to have their child withdrawn from RE lessons and visits.