Tinto Primary has an assembly every week. There are infant, upper and whole school assemblies each term. There are also class assemblies where each class showcases learning that has taken place in the classroom, parents will be invited to these. The school assemblies link to the Rights Respecting Schools charter and therefore connect to a different article each week. The themes are sometimes religious, sometimes explain the history of special days such as Mothers Day and other assemblies may concern world or national events such as the Olympics, Chinese New Year or Remembrance Sunday. We also celebrate pupil achievements at each assembly.
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from religious assemblies and church services. Church services will take place in September for Harvest and in March/April for Easter. A church elder may also deliver a couple of assemblies each month and uses the themes selected as a focus. The Assembly Calendar clearly shows which assemblies are religious in nature. Please contact Ms Stark if you wish to withdraw your child.
Spiritual, Social, Moral and Cultural Values (Religious Observance)
Rights of Parents/Carers
Scottish Government Ministers consider that religious observance complements religious education and is an important contribution to pupils’ development. It should also have a role in promoting the ethos of a school by bringing pupils together and creating a sense of community.
There is a statutory provision for parents to withdraw children from participation in religious observance. The right of parents’ wishes will be respected.
Where a child is withdrawn from religious observance, schools will make suitable arrangements for the child to participate in a worthwhile alternative activity.
Equalities
Integral to this guidance is the principal of mutual respect. The diversity of belief and tradition provides an ideal context in which pupils can learn about, and so learn from, what is important in the lives of themselves and others. South Lanarkshire’s guidance recognises and welcomes diversity and promotes respectful understanding.
Parents may request that their children be permitted to be absent in order to celebrate recognised religious events. Advance notice should be provided to the school when children will be absent. Appropriate requests will be granted and the pupil noted as an authorised absentee in the register.
A copy of our annual assembly calendar can be found here:
