Religious Education - Parents Page

Why include Religious Education In Home Schooling

In state schools, Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory subject, but this isn’t the case for home education. So, as home-schoolers, why should we still learn about RE?

I should say that I am a bit biased, because my first university degree was in Religious Education. I originally trained to become a specialist teacher, as there was a shortage at the time.

I like to begin RE lessons by saying that RE can stand for “Really Exciting”. That’s because religion and people’s beliefs are closely linked to the stories they tell, the choices they make, and how societies grow.

Here’s an example of the kind of question we might explore. The writer C. S. Lewis was a Christian, and his beliefs are clearly shown in his book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is often studied in schools.

If we read this story and are moved by its messages, are we also being influenced by Christian ideas without realising it? What Christian messages are in the book? If we don’t know about the author’s beliefs, do we still notice these ideas anyway?

Religious ideas appear in many subjects, even when we don’t expect them. RE links with English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Music, Citizenship, PSHE, Art, Design and Technology, and even Sex Education.

For example:

In Geography, we might study why groups of people move because of their beliefs.
In History, we might learn about persecution caused by religion.
We can explore how religious ideas have affected how women are shown in society.
We can ask why some clothes were once thought to be only for men.
We might learn why Japan approved the contraceptive pill much later than Western countries.
In Maths, we can explore why Western countries were slow to accept the number zero.

Learning RE helps us understand the world, people, and ideas that shape our lives — even when we don’t notice them at first.

Recording The Learning

For some learners on the Autistic Spectrum, parts of Religious Education can feel difficult. Questions that do not have a clear right or wrong answer can be tricky, as the world may feel very black and white. It can be hard to understand why people believe different things or why they act in certain ways. Looking at different viewpoints about the same event needs careful support. It may not always be easy to see both sides equally, but we should always try.

For dyslexic learners, writing long pieces of work about events or important people is not always helpful. Instead, learners can record their thoughts using audio or video, such as on a phone. This is a good way to show learning. Mind maps are also a great way to organise ideas.

When you go to a wedding, naming ceremony, or funeral, you may be taking part in a religious event. Different religions celebrate different festivals during the year, and joining in with these all counts as learning time.

You can record these experiences in your diary. Keeping greeting cards, writing about how you felt and what happened, and adding photographs (when appropriate) all help show strong evidence that this important part of learning is taking place.

It is especially important to record events that are outside your own family’s traditions. Taking part in religious events from different faiths is especially important for home-schooled learners. It helps you learn about different cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, not just from books but through real experiences. This builds understanding, respect, and empathy for others, which are important life skills. It also helps you feel more confident in the wider world, as you learn how to behave respectfully in different settings and understand why people value different traditions.

For home-schooled learners, these experiences also show clear evidence of social learning and real-world education, which is an important part of a well-rounded education.Taking part in and learning about other people’s beliefs is just as important and will be seen very positively.

Following A Set Programme of Learning

In state schools, Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory subject, but this isn’t the case for home education. So, as home-schoolers, why should we still learn about RE?

I should say that I am a bit biased, because my first university degree was in Religious Education. I originally trained to become a specialist teacher, as there was a shortage at the time.

I like to begin RE lessons by saying that RE can stand for “Really Exciting”. That’s because religion and people’s beliefs are closely linked to the stories they tell, the choices they make, and how societies grow.

Here’s an example of the kind of question we might explore. The writer C. S. Lewis was a Christian, and his beliefs are clearly shown in his book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is often studied in schools.

If we read this story and are moved by its messages, are we also being influenced by Christian ideas without realising it? What Christian messages are in the book? If we don’t know about the author’s beliefs, do we still notice these ideas anyway?

Religious ideas appear in many subjects, even when we don’t expect them. RE links with English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Music, Citizenship, PSHE, Art, Design and Technology, and even Sex Education.

For example:

In Geography, we might study why groups of people move because of their beliefs.
In History, we might learn about persecution caused by religion.
We can explore how religious ideas have affected how women are shown in society.
We can ask why some clothes were once thought to be only for men.
We might learn why Japan approved the contraceptive pill much later than Western countries.
In Maths, we can explore why Western countries were slow to accept the number zero.

Learning RE helps us understand the world, people, and ideas that shape our lives — even when we don’t notice them at first.

Including Religious Education In The Learning Routine

For example, in our Chess Project, we look at how religion and culture have influenced the design of the chess pieces over time.

We also explore Chinese New Year, which is a popular topic. It helps us learn about spring, the moon, the seasons, and living in the moment.

Chinese New Year is also about families coming together, which links closely with other festivals such as Christmas, Passover, and Eid al-Fitr.

You don’t need any fancy or expensive equipment to learn Religious Education. If your family follows a faith, it can be helpful to share and explore your own traditions together.

Each project lists the resources you’ll need and suggests places to visit. Everything is planned with a home-school budget in mind.

The biggest cost is usually visiting religious places or attractions. Some are free, while others charge for entry.

To save money, you can plan ahead, combine visits, and bring a packed lunch — just like a real school trip.

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