EVC Spring 2026_magazine_AWdigital - Flipbook - Page 37
BITESIZED ADVICE: PLACES OF WORSHIP
Visiting places
of worship
Visiting places of worship can help children and young people
understand religious beliefs and practices as part of their RE
studies. School groups also visit places of worship when learning
about their local community, and explore famous landmarks as
part of UK and overseas tours. These visits are often educational
rather than religious.
Be clear about why you’re going –
it’s important to define your visit
purpose and learning outcomes at
the planning stage, including links
to the curriculum and any wider
personal, social and cultural benefits
of the visit.
When can parents and carers
withdraw consent?
Religious Education is compulsory for
primary and secondary students but
isn’t currently part of the National
Curriculum, so while parents can
ask to withdraw their children from
most RE lessons and collective acts
of worship, OEAP National Guidance
7.1m Places of Worship states: ‘If
the visit does not involve collective
worship or religious education, then
parents cannot legally withdraw
their children from a visit to a place
of worship if it takes place during
the school day and has educational
objectives that are part of the school
curriculum.’
The right to withdraw is usually
referenced in your RE policy. You
don’t need to remind parents of
this right each time, although it is
good practice.
Before you go
Prepare students and their parents
or carers for the visit by focusing on
cultural awareness and respect.
Talk about any rules or customs
you need to follow when you’re
there, and why.
Consider inviting someone from
the relevant religious group
to speak to your group before
the visit to answer questions or
address concerns.
Use meetings or written
communication to explain the
purpose of the visit and reassure
parents/carers and children
that there is no pressure to
participate in worship.
Further guidance
3.2e Inclusion
4.3d Parental Consent
and Informing Parents
7.1j Visiting Cities
7.1m Places of Worship
7.1n Museums, Galleries
and Heritage Sites
See →oeapng.info
For faith schools, visiting
a place of worship can be
a regular commitment
for collective worship
or teaching; and some
plan overseas visits or
pilgrimages to particular
sites, making these clearly
religious in intent.
Top tips
Local places of worship will
usually sit within your local
learning area (LLA), so as
long as your LLA policy and plans are
up to scratch, you can make them
regular visit venues, with minimal
additional planning or paperwork.
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SPRING 2026
Overseas visits are more
likely to involve either
famous landmarks in
public places or remote locations,
so make sure that you (and your tour
operator) consider these specific
risks and how you’ll manage them
in your planning.
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