At the moment by DD gets 1 x 50 minute period of RE per week. I've been looking carefully at the timetable for the week and really wish she could do either more Art (currently 2 x 50 minute lessons a week), Music ( 2 x 50 minute lessons) or Drama (1 x 50 minute lesson a week).
I know some people think 'it's only 50 minutes' and it's not all about religious worship but I honestly think she's aware enough about all the main religions having celebrated Diwali, visited Sikh temples and Mosques and doing all the usual Christian stuff around Easter and Christmas during her 7 years at primary. We've instilled non-religious values of personal morality, fairness, tolerance into her from a young age and she's clued up about issues such as sectarianism and religious bigotry.
I don't mind at all her being in a church for the Christmas and Easter end of term celebrations and have never withdrawn her from these during Primary. However, now we are in secondary I really think she would be better served having a lesson in Politics or Economics (unfortunately not on offer) but failing that she could practise her cello or piano or just do something else!
Has anyone else had any luck in withdrawing their child from RE lessons in a non-denominational secondary (as I believe we are entitled to?).
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Withdrawing from RE lessons in Secondary
astranova · 19/11/2016 17:25
Thank you 
, I'm aware of that. I don't teach in Scotland and should have made that clear. The point being made was that we don't just look at Philosophy and Ethics, there are some pretty good reasons to look at the study of religion as well.
I don't see why I cannot comment on this, as a general issue, regardless of where I teach? Definitely an issue in London as well in terms of compulsory R.E.
Did a bit of googling and found this: http://www.lawandreligionuk.com/2016/11/07/scottish-government-to-re-examine-obligatory-collective-worship-in-schools/
Seems that we are on the wrong side of the law (according to the UN) not allowing 16-18 year olds to withdraw themselves (given that they can otherwise sign all their own consent forms so that I no longer know what ds is doing 
) and require parents to withdraw them 
.
But on the other hand, they also mention (in an earlier post) that the guidance from the Scottish Government is that "quiet reflection" is sufficient, if that is more appropriate for the composition of the school.
Interestingly - and confusingly - the letter of guidance from Education Scotland (linked to earlier) talked about the right to withdraw from RME in Catholic schools, but in the case of non-denom schools just talks about it being a statutory obligation and hod it fits in with CfE. No clause about the right to withdraw
Link again http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/images/rmerercletter_tcm4-650439.pdf - Clause 1 (the introduction) says it replaces that guidance of 6/91, which was the letter you linked to.
Pity the poor teachers who have to read and act on all these letters of guidance 
. I suspect there are further management circulars from the local authorities providing the guidance about how to withdraw from RME within their respective areas.
Oops pressed too soon. I complained and was told that as I'd been told the location of the day I should have been aware that there may be a religious element to the day....
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