The Federation of Riders Infant and Junior Schools

Religious Education

Infant School

Junior School

Parental right to withdraw children from RE

Parents/carers have the right to choose whether to withdraw their child from RE without influence 
from the school, although a school should ensure parents or carers are informed of this right and 
are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus. If pupils are withdrawn 
from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, but not to provide additional teaching or to 
incur extra cost; suitable work relating to the child’s religious education should be provided by the 
parents/carers.

Pupils will usually remain on school premises, unless the child is lawfully receiving religious 
education elsewhere.

Withdrawal Procedure

If a parent chooses to withdraw their child from RE, they need to:

• Inform the school of their request for their child(ren) to be withdrawn from RE and/or ‘religious assembly’ and whether they intend partial or total withdrawal for their child(ren). This MUST be done in writing to the Executive Headteacher.
• Parents/carers will be invited to meet with the Executive Headteacher and Year Leader. to establish with the school their concerns about RE and to discuss the practical implication of withdrawal.
• Parents/carers of withdrawn children will be asked to provide suitable alternative work for their child(ren) to be completed at the time of the RE lesson. It will not be the responsibility of the teacher either to set or mark alternative work. Pupils who have been withdrawn will be allocated to different classes or a specified place on an 
independent basis in order to ensure suitable supervision. These arrangements may need to change from week to week.
• In addition to the above, parents/carers also have the right opt out of any visits to places of worship. Prior notification will be necessary to ensure adequate supervision is organised for the pupil.

Whilst the Federation of Riders Infant and Junior Schools respect the rights of the parents/carers to withdraw their child(ren) from RE, these rights do not apply to a parent’s/carer’s request to withdraw their child from a non-RE subject.