Education Links

Religious Education

Parents and carers can choose to withdraw their child from religious education (RE) and religious studies lessons.

Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their child from RE

Schools must grant requests from parents/carers to withdraw their child, wholly or partly, from:

• Receiving religious education (RE) given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum
• Attendance at religious worship in the school (note: sixth-form pupils can choose for themselves to opt out of religious worship)

This is set out in section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This section of the Act also applies to academies, as stated in the DfE's model funding agreements:

• Mainstream: supplemental funding agreement (paragraph 2.V on page 16)
• Mainstream: single funding agreement (paragraph 2.49 on page 25

Withdrawing pupils from other subjects

Parents/carers only have an automatic right to withdraw their children from:

• RE
• Some aspects of relationships and sex education (RSE)

For other subjects, including those that teach about religion:

• In maintained schools, it's up to the school to decide whether to grant a request for withdrawal

To discuss any concerns and or withdrawals, please contact: