Religion in the Primary School Context

The following topics and issues are covered in this chapter:

• the complexity of defining religion;
• the distinction between religion as an inclusive concept and religions;
• who is religious?
• what is learnt from the 2001 census?
• the nature and place of secularism;
• the role of education in relation to religion;
• the marginalization of religion in school and education policies;
• the teacher's personal position in relation to religion in schools;
• primary pupils' engagement with religion;
• the place of religion in the primary curriculum;
• collective worship;
• the notion of religious literacy as a requirement for all primary teachers.

Primary schools in England are required to teach religious education, although the syllabus is locally determined and it is not a subject in the National Curriculum. However, religion is not just encountered ...