At New Horizons Academy, our Religious Education curriculum is designed to be inclusive, inquisitive, and reflective of our alternative ethos. We aim to provide children with a broad understanding of world faiths and non-religious worldviews, fostering respect, empathy, and critical thinking.
Parental Rights
In accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Section 71), parents and carers have the statutory right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education. This right applies to all pupils in state-funded schools, including academies and alternative provision.
- No Reason Required: Parents are not required to provide a reason for their request to withdraw.
- Full or Partial Withdrawal: You may choose to withdraw your child from the entire RE curriculum or from specific lessons/topics.
- Supervision: The school will provide appropriate supervision for any child withdrawn from RE. However, the school is not required to provide alternative academic teaching or incur extra costs for this period.
Our Approach to Withdrawal
While we fully respect the legal right to withdraw, we encourage any parent considering this to first meet with the Headteacher. This is simply to:
- Ensure you have a full understanding of our RE syllabus and the educational objectives of the lessons.
- Discuss any specific concerns or sensitive topics.
- Arrange the practicalities of where your child will be supervised during these times.
How to Make a Request
If you wish to exercise your right to withdraw your child, please contact the School Office in writing (email or letter) addressed to the Headteacher. We recommend reviewing this decision with the school annually to ensure it still meets your child’s needs.
Note on Other Subjects: Please be aware that the right to withdraw applies only to Religious Education. It does not extend to other National Curriculum subjects (such as History, Art, or Science) even if they include content related to religion, nor does it apply to statutory Relationships and Health Education.
