We are reviewing our guidelines on religious observance with an increased focus on ensuring it is active, engaging, challenging and thought provoking whilst supporting children in the development of their own set of beliefs and values.
The Scottish Government defines Religious Observance as, “community acts which aim to promote the spiritual development of all members of the school’s community and express and celebrate the shared values of the school community”. We aim to provide opportunities for pupils to visit a variety of religious buildings, meet people from different faiths and reflect on their own beliefs.
The Rev Terry Taylor from East Kilbride South Parish Church of Scotland is the school chaplain and provides support and guidance to the school.
The guidance below provides an overview of the curriculum offered at Heathery Knowe PS. Parents are able to request their child opts out of Religious and Moral Education and / or Religious Observance and can do so by emailing headteacher@heatheryknowe-pri.s-lanark.sch.uk.
Opportunities for Religious Observance
Our values promote equality and respect and this forms part of the overall ethos of the school. Throughout the school year there are opportunities for religious observance. At Heathery Knowe PS, religious observance forms part of the RME /PSE curriculum in Broad General Education and encourages learners to reflect on a range of views and form their own. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on the beliefs of others and the world around them through a ‘big question’ approach and in response to current affairs.
Discussions: A range of PSE resources are available in the school and encourage learners to consider religious and moral issues affecting their local community. We support and encourage young people to reflect on their own views and engage critically with others. Our school values promote equality and respect and this forms part of the overall ethos of the school.
Personal Research; Through the taught RME curriculum, learners can research the views of others, deepen their understanding of their own views and consider differing viewpoints. There are frequent opportunities to consider conflicting views and moral issues through literature and multimedia resources.
Partnerships: Our partnerships in the local community provide opportunities for learners to engage with people whose experiences are far different from their own. We celebrate diversity across the Heathery Knowe PS community and promote tolerance and respect.
Outdoor learning: There are frequent opportunities to engage in outdoor learning which provides a natural backdrop for ‘big questions’ around each person’s place in the world and responsibility towards it.
Assemblies: Assemblies and discussions promote the opportunity to reflect on views. Assemblies are held weekly at Heathery Knowe PS.
Sacraments: We provide equality of opportunity and pupils attending Heathery Knowe PS are offered the opportunity to be supported to complete sacraments within their local parish. There are quiet spaces for children to engage in religious observance during the school day and all individual requests are accommodated.
Christian Events: Heathery Knowe PS celebrates Harvest, Christmas and Easter with a focus on exploring and reflecting on views and considering the needs of others (e.g. Collecting for charity, food hampers etc).
The following link provides the curriculum guidance used to design the RME curriculum and observance at Heathery Knowe PS:
https://education.gov.scot/Documents/cfe-briefing-16.pdf
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
