Foundry Lane Primary is a welcoming and inclusive school that represents a diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious community. We actively celebrate our similarities and differences, drawing on the wealth of experience of our children and staff, and recognise the contribution everyone can make to our community.

Through our values, we aim to create an environment where children, parents, and staff are encouraged to share their beliefs, and religious and cultural experiences, so that they can learn with, from, and on behalf of one another, broadening their understanding of life in today's multicultural, multi-faith Britain.

Our Approach

RE at Foundry Lane is provided in line with the locally agreed Hampshire syllabus, Living Difference IV, and reflects the fact that religious traditions in Great Britain are, in the main, Christian, while also taking account of the teaching and practices of other principal religions.

Our RE curriculum aims to engage, inspire, and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to explore different religious beliefs, values, and traditions, and to develop a rigorous understanding of the religious traditions, beliefs, and practices followed in our multicultural society. We want children to know how religious education promotes discernment and helps combat prejudice, preparing them for adult life and lifelong learning.

Through RE, children learn to make reasoned, informed judgements about religious and moral issues, reflect on their own beliefs, values, and experiences, and develop positive attitudes of respect towards people whose views and beliefs differ from their own.

We are glad to have the support of Shirley Baptist Church and Southampton City Mission, who provide opportunities for children to visit church and support our Question of Faith days.

Scheme of Work

RE is taught in half-termly blocks, following the recommended Hampshire syllabus time allocation of approximately 36 hours a year in EYFS and Key Stage 1, and 45 hours a year in Key Stage 2, though timings remain flexible across terms at Foundry Lane.

At Key Stage 1, children study Christianity and Sikhism. At Key Stage 2, they continue to build on these, alongside Hinduism in lower Key Stage 2 and Islam in upper Key Stage 2. Teaching draws on a variety of strategies, including art, drama, thinking skills, speaking and listening, visits, and ICT, to bring learning to life.

Right of Withdrawal

All pupils are entitled to receive RE as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. However, parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child from religious education lessons and collective worship, under the 1988 Education Reform Act, and Foundry Lane respects this right.

Parents can only withdraw their child from RE itself, not from related content in other subjects, such as religious art in art lessons or the study of evolution in science. If a child is withdrawn, the school has a duty to supervise them on the premises, though not to provide alternative teaching; any suitable religious education during this time would need to be arranged by parents or carers.

If you wish to discuss withdrawing your child from RE, please arrange a meeting with a member of our senior leadership team.