RE at West Didsbury CE

Intent - We are  committed to a distinctively Christian and Anglican educational experience which is summed up in the three values: Belonging, Believing and Becoming. We want our school to be a happy place where children can ‘belong’ and make deep and profound relationships; ‘believe’ in themselves, their gifts and that their futures are bright; and ‘become’ all that they can be and the best that they can be. This is supported by a loving and carefully nurtured culture of faith and hopefulness as well as educational excellence. We aim to provide our pupils with the opportunities to explore RE to the fullest extent, seeking the highest professional standards and promoting enjoyment of discovery and new learning in RE. Pupils will experience, explore and encounter a wide range of creative and challenging activities that will help them to discover the answers to fundamental questions. RE lessons are, to the fullest extent, enquiry led. Thinking is challenged and extended by high quality questioning and ‘diving deeper’ in to religious stories, beliefs and their impact in the world.

Implementation - The RE curriculum is based on the Questful RE syllabus whilst incorporating material from Understanding Christianity. We dedicate 80% of RE lessons to Christianity  through looking at the books of the Bible, Jesus’ teaching and other influential characters in the Bible, as well as exploring other major world faiths. including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. All texts are then explored and questions are asked as to how or why these stories could have an impact on the children’s lives, whatever their own faith background.

Impact -   RE attainment in West Didsbury CE will be reported to parents in an annual report, It will be evident through pupil voice and book scrutiny. It will be seen through our pupils who will be able to give a theologically informed and thoughtful account of Christianity as a living and diverse faith; show an informed and respectful attitude to religions and world views in their search for God and meaning; engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of other faiths and reflect critically and responsibly on their own spiritual, philosophical and ethical convictions.

Collective Worship

At West Didsbury CE Primary School, the daily act of collective worship is viewed as an integral and important part of school life. Through this and in the general ethos of the school we seek to promote our mission statement of Belonging, Believing and Becoming.

It is a time where we come together to share our love of God based on promoting the Christian values which permeate the ethos of the school. As such, the contributions of staff, pupils, church clergy and other visitors are valued highly. We also actively seek to encourage the attitudes of awe, wonder and reflection. We have regular contributions to assembly. In accordance with Manchester Diocesan Guidelines, our school ensures that every child is entitled to an opportunity for daily worship.

Parental Rights of Withdrawal from Collective worship in a Voluntary Aided School

The Worship and Religious Education provided by the school is in accordance with the Church of England. This foundation is also reflected in the curriculum and the whole life of the school community. Since the conduct of the school as a whole reflects the Church of England ethos, removal of pupils from Worship and/or Religious Education (as parents are legally entitled to do) cannot insulate them from the religious life of the school.

The 1996 Education Act gives parents the legal right to withdraw their children from collective worship.  This is upheld under the 1998 Act. 

As an Anglican school we hold great value in the power of collective worship to formulate, enhance and celebrate the power and wonder of our Christian faith. That said, if parents wish to withdraw their child from collective worship we request that the reasons be put in writing and submitted to the Head of School.