question about RE

[rainbowbash]

DD (9) has RE in school. I always thought it is teaching about religion (I came to the UK as an adult and didn't go though the school system myself, so not too sure).

Anyhow, DD tells me that the RE teacher is very religious, goes to church every Sunday (fine, no probs) but also that they are being told to pray to make wishes come through as God will help those who pray. Teacher demonstrated the power of pray this week: she couldn't find her phone the other day, prayed and in the morning - with a little help from above - it appeared on the kitchen table. Is this kind of 'teaching' normal in RE? There are quite a few other examples but they are all more along the line of preaching and I have to say, I am not happy.

School is a non denominational state primary if that makes a difference.

NO that doesn't sound normal to me. That isn't learning about different religions it's just her espousing her religious views and I wouldn't find it appropriate.

This boils my blood! I would complain if you feel strongly about it, and check curriculum guidance on exactly how RE is meant to be taught, and in what context.

That's not what RE is for at all. It's fine for an RE teacher to be religious - one of my RE teachers at secondary was actually my Minister at primary! But they have to be subjective and not preach one religion over another.

thanks all. Not happy about. will raise it..just wasn't sure if I was being overly precocious.

If it’s not a faith school then I would question this.

Hmmmm I'm on the fence with this one as Christianity is taught as the accepted religion in the UK and as such kids do say prayers to God however the way you have written your posts sound a bit over the top.

lots of religions are accepted in the UK. it's not a state religion! people are free to chose - also to be free of religion

I'm in two minds about this, so I guess it depends what the lesson was about. Teachers will often use themselves/their experiences as an example of what they are teaching as a way to connect with the kids and make the concept less abstract. So if the lesson was about prayers and how they "work" and how God "helps" then it was a fair enough reaction ,even if stupid because it makes the whole concept laughable really.

Christianity is the state religion as per the National Curriculum which state schools in this country follow. You can withdraw your child from religious worship if you wish to do so.

As a (secondary) RE teacher I can say that this sounds odd. I choose not to tell my students my beliefs until my last lesson with them! Others do tell but it is usually done in a non preachy way, especially in a secular school. RE lessons are different from collective worship (which is usually covered in assembly and often subtle or opted out of by the school). Def worth asking about at least. Please don't just opt out without first talking to the school though. Could your child have misunderstood something?

It depends on what the teacher actually says; if she says, "It is my belief that God answered my prayer", etc, that's OK. If the children had a Muslim RE teacher, he or she would be likely to say, "We Muslims believe...".

I'm a lot older than many on here but nobody ever forced a belief system on me in my school days, we learned and discussed (non Christian religions were taught very badly in those days so it was mainly Christianity), but there was no pressure. It was interesting. I remember RE teachers who were practising Christians too.

Christianity is the state religion as per the National Curriculum which state schools in this country follow Yes unfortunately there is collective worship still in UK schools but the national curriculum RE lessons are not for worship they're meant to educate children about various different religious beliefs.