RE Curriculum & The Right to Withdraw
Cleaswell Hill School’s Religious Education curriculum follows the Northumberland Agreed Syllabus for RE (2022-2027) and its guidance for special schools. RE is planned on the principle that it is for all pupils, including those with SEND, and is adapted to meet individual needs wherever practicable.
In line with special school guidance, the curriculum avoids reducing or oversimplifying learning. Instead, it helps pupils explore authentic religious and non-religious worldviews through meaningful connections with their own experiences, using discovery, exploration, connection and response.
Our RE curriculum is embedded in the curriculum with links mapped against topic areas. This extends to the manner in which RE supports the development of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural aspects of learning and promotes Fundamental British Values. The delivery involves enquiry questions such as: Why are some people and things special? Why do people celebrate special times? Why should we care for the world and all living things? What journeys matter to people and why? and How do people express their beliefs and values?
These enquiries help pupils develop self-awareness, understanding of different beliefs and worldviews, appreciation of diversity, spiritual reflection, social and emotional development, and connections between religious concepts and their own lives.
Our curriculum design reflects the Five Keys Planning Model recommended within the Northumberland Agreed Syllabus:
Connection
Learning begins with pupils' own experiences, interests, relationships and understanding of the world. Themes such as community, belonging, celebrations, special people, care, responsibility and identity provide meaningful starting points for learning.
Knowledge
Teaching focuses on the "burning core" of religious traditions and worldviews, enabling pupils to encounter authentic beliefs, practices, celebrations, stories and values rather than peripheral information.
Senses
Multi-sensory experiences are used to enable pupils to access religious learning through sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. This reflects the syllabus expectation that pupils with SEND benefit from rich sensory experiences of religion and spirituality.
Symbols
Learning incorporates religious symbols, artefacts, images, stories and objects that help pupils engage with key concepts in accessible ways.
Values
Religious and non-religious values are explored through themes relevant to pupils' lives, including kindness, belonging, friendship, community, respect, equality, responsibility and care for others and the world.
Through these meaningful and accessible learning experiences, the curriculum meets the expectations of the Northumberland Agreed Syllabus for Special Schools, enabling pupils to engage with authentic religious and non-religious worldviews in ways that are relevant to them.
Compliance Summary
The school can demonstrate that:
RE is delivered to all pupils as part of their statutory entitlement
Learning is adapted appropriately for SEND learners while retaining authentic religious content.
Planning reflects the Five Keys model: Connection, Knowledge, Senses, Symbols and Values.
Pupils experience religion and spirituality through meaningful, practical and multi-sensory learning.
RE supports personal, social, emotional, spiritual and cultural development.
Learning enables pupils to make connections between religious ideas and their own experiences and understanding of the world.
Therefore, the school's RE curriculum meets the requirements and expectations for SEND provision set out within the Northumberland Agreed Syllabus for RE 2022-2027.
Parent Right to Withdraw
Religious Education is delivered in an integrated way; however, parents/carers have the legal right to request that their child be withdrawn from aspects of lessons related to RE that they do not want to be part of their education. We encourage parents to discuss this with us so that we can explain the content and aims of their child's curriculum and consider any questions or alternative arrangements.
Requests for withdrawal should be made in writing to the Headteacher. The school will respect the wishes of parents/carers and work with parents to make appropriate arrangements for pupils who are withdrawn from aspects of lessons related to RE.