Bishop's Castle Primary is a community school; it has no affiliation to any particular religious denomination. We teach R.E. as outlined in the Syllabus agreed by the Shropshire Standing Council of Religious Education (SACRE). The syllabus supports teachers in helping children consider what it means for people to have religious belief and offers children some insight into the world’s major religions. SACRE does not seek to persuade pupils to hold any particular belief.

Collective Worship

In order for the school to meet the requirements of the 1994 Education Act children should take part in a daily act of “collective worship” which should be “wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character”.

This statement obviously requires some interpretation. In practice, at Bishops Castle Primary School our acts of worship will vary through the week. They may :

• reflect the passage of the Christian year, by engaging with the wealth of Christian texts, prayers, music and art, and traditions.
• include reflection on the festivals and practices of other major faiths.
• allow children to consider broad moral precepts and human example.
• gather the school community together to reflect on the week past and to celebrate achievement

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE and collective worship. If you would like to discuss this with a member of school staff, please contact the school office.