Religion & Worldviews teaching provides children with opportunities to access knowledge and information that support a secure understanding of both religious and non‑religious views worldwide. This understanding enables pupils to become positive, informed citizens within our multi‑cultural society. At Cowbit St Mary’s, we follow the Lincolnshire Diocese Board of Education (LDBE) Primary R.E. curriculum, which emphasises the importance and value of this subject for all pupils, contributing to an open, articulate and understanding society. The inclusion of worldviews enables pupils to learn about religion and beliefs by connecting and contrasting them with their own ways of seeing the world.

Religious Education Intent

Our intent is to engage, inspire and challenge our children’s thinking in order to prepare them for life in a diverse and multi‑cultural society. Guided by our Christian vision—“Every member of the Cowbit St Mary’s Church of England Primary School community is welcomed and nurtured, enabling all to flourish”—our Religion & Worldviews curriculum supports every child to thrive emotionally, spiritually and academically.

As children of God, we believe each pupil is as unique and full of potential as a mustard seed. Through an enriching curriculum that provides opportunities and possibilities, we empower all members of our school community to be hopeful about the future and to become drivers of positive change. In Religion & Worldviews, pupils are encouraged to grow to their full potential and to experience “life in all its fullness,” making meaningful connections between learning, faith, identity and the wider world.

We aim to provide a framework that places value on the ethos, morality and cultural understanding that Religion & Worldviews education can promote, while also considering a broad range of non‑religious perspectives. The inclusion of worldviews allows pupils to deepen their understanding of religion and beliefs by comparing them with their own experiences and viewpoints.

By promoting a positive attitude towards others and respecting differing views, we celebrate the rich range of cultures and diversity within and beyond our school community. Our curriculum develops pupils’ core knowledge and understanding of religion and belief systems by providing opportunities to explore questions, compare ideas and consider a variety of viewpoints.

Alongside other aspects of school life, our Religion & Worldviews teaching helps pupils to explore challenging spiritual, moral, social and cultural questions that arise in their lives and in society. From little seeds, great and wonderful things grow and flourish—and through this curriculum, our pupils learn to think deeply, live with empathy, and respond to the world with wisdom and understanding.

SMSC, British Values and Protected Characteristics

We believe our RE curriculum supports personal development. Our RE lessons provide valuable and meaningful opportunities for pupils to reflect and consider the opinions, beliefs and worldviews of others and themselves, whilst also developing within them respect, tolerance and understanding of others, their faiths and beliefs. Enrichment The teaching and learning in Religious Education is enriched, where possible, through the use of artefacts and visits to religious places of worship.

Managing the right to withdraw from R.E:

At Cowbit St Mary’s Church of England Academy, RE is taught as an engaging, inclusive and enquiry-led subject, open to all and at the centre of the curriculum, and we would hope that all parents would understand the value of this for all children. However, parents/carers do have a right by law to withdraw their children from Religious Education

We acknowledge the right of parents/guardians to withdraw their children from RE lessons and of teachers to withdraw from teaching the subject. Parents/guardians/teachers do not need to provide a reason why they wish to withdraw from the subject. Should a parent/guardian wish to withdraw their child from RE lessons or a teacher wish to refuse to teach RE, we ask that they inform the school on: office@csm.keystonemat.org .

If a parent/guardian requests that their child be withdrawn from RE, we will not attempt to persuade them to alter their decision. If a pupil is withdrawn from RE lessons, the school is required to provide supervision but should not incur any additional cost in so doing.

Any queries regarding withdrawal from RE should be directed to the RE Subject Leader in the first instance, and thereafter to the head teacher.