Religious and moral education includes learning about Christianity and other world religions, and supports the development of beliefs and values.
Religious Education makes an important contribution to the curriculum in helping pupils gain knowledge and understanding of different religions to reflect the school community and Scotland at large. Religious and Moral Education (RME) is taught in Mearns with these broad aims in mind and reflects Council and National policies as set out by the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.
RME is taught by class teachers and includes input from the school chaplains and people of different faiths. Ministers from Mearns Parish Church, Mearnskirk and Mearns Baptist Church work with pupils. One of our Muslim parents supports the RME curriculum. Included in our RME programme is the study of Christianity and other world religions. This encourages harmony, appreciation and consideration for the beliefs of others. While studying RME, classes may make visits to local churches and other sacred buildings. In addition to Christmas and Easter, the school also celebrates the Chinese New Year, Eid, Diwali and Hannukah.
Whole school assemblies and departmental assemblies take place regularly and are conducted by pupils and staff. Many parents attend our assemblies. It is recognised that the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 allows parents to withdraw their children from any religious instruction and observance and parents wishing to do so should contact the Head Teacher to allow any arrangements to be made.
Parents from ethnic minority religious communities may request that their children be permitted to be absent from school in order to celebrate recognised religious events. Appropriate requests will be granted on not more than three days in any one school session and the pupil noted as an authorised absentee in the register.