Our aim at Southam St James to grow children’s understanding and acceptance of their own and other worldviews in a rapidly diversifying society, developing and building tolerance and respect for those with differing worldviews to enable them to flourish in the wider community. We want our children to be reflective and well-informed, with the confidence to ask questions and think critically; to acknowledge the injustice in the world and have the conviction to challenge it in their lives; to be honest and kind, and to support each other to work hard and embrace new opportunities and challenges with confidence; to believe that they can achieve their best and always let their shine.

Religious Education has an important role in developing the foundations for reflection, empathy and challenge that will enable children to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. By developing their appreciation of the fundamental principles of Christianity and its expression as a living faith, as well as their understanding of the major religions and worldviews, they will be able to engage respectfully with people from all faiths as well as those who have no faith. They will also develop an appreciation of common values between faiths and worldviews, and an understanding of what it means to make a religious commitment. They will recognise the diversity of religious expression between, and within, faiths., and as they engage with the core principles and challenges facing religion, they will nurture their own spiritual growth and be able to express their own religious identity and beliefs confidently, whether they practise a faith or not.

As a Church of England academy, the study of Christianity is a core part of our curriculum. The study of Christianity is supported by units of work from Understanding Christianity. Children also access teaching on all the major religions of the world, and examine spirituality and other world views, following the Coventry and Warwickshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.  

Understanding Christianity gives pupils a deep knowledge of Christian practice and belief, including ways in which it is unique and diverse. It offers a programme of teaching that engages with biblical texts and theological ideas; it is rigorous and challenging, presenting ideas and debates in engaging and thought-provoking, age-appropriate ways. The aims of Understanding Christianity are to:

• enable children to know about and understand Christianity as a living world faith, by exploring core theological concepts;

• enable children to develop knowledge and skills in making sense of biblical texts and in understanding their impact on the lives of Christians;

• develop pupils’ abilities to connect, critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply their learning to their own growing understanding of religion and belief of themselves, the world and human experience.

R.E. is a fascinating, multi-disciplinary subject with particularly strong links to theology and philosophy, but with opportunities to draw on knowledge and critical skills from a number of disciplines (e.g. including science, history, art, literature and the social sciences).

The aim of our R.E. curriculum is that all children will:

• know and understand the key teachings from a range of religions

• reflect on the teachings of different religions and worldviews

• explain their ideas with reference to their knowledge and understanding

• evaluate other people’s opinions and ideas

• make links and compare different ideas about faith and beliefs

• identify and reflect on their own worldview and the principles guiding their life.

Right for Parents to Withdraw their Children from RE, Collective Worship & Sex & Relationship Education

In England and Wales parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to withdraw their children from RE lessons and acts of Collective Worship in schools. You can also request a withdrawal from any subjects/ lessons/assemblies involving discussions on the topic of sex and relationships.

As parents you are not obliged to give a reason for requesting the withdrawal.

However, before exercising any right of withdrawal, we would recommend you discuss your concerns with the class teacher or Headteacher. 

Requests for withdrawals are made in writing.