download-areiac.docVIP

Faith Matters in Harrow: Guidance on the sensitivities that impact on schools. The London Borough of Harrow has the greatest diversity of faiths in the country. Indeed, there are meeting places for all the major faiths in the borough. This document aims to help teachers be aware of the practices of the various faiths and how these impact on our children as they engage with the National Curriculum. The law states that children may be withdrawn from sex education and collective worship and R.E. but are expected to attend all other lessons. It is important to understand that in some aspects of the National Curriculum children may be in a position where they are asked to participate in activities that the faith of their parents tells them is offensive. This can be very unsettling for the child. This document aims to help staff recognise and respect differences in our multi-faith schools. It is also an attempt to acknowledge the dialogue we have in SACRE with our many faith groups in the hope that children in our schools feel confident that their faith will be respected and valued. The dialogue for this document began at a working party at Harrow Council offices on September 20 2007 when members of nearly all our faiths came together to discuss how their faith impacts with areas of the National Curriculum. The following topics were discussed: Dress, Diet, Jewellery, Music, Art Dance/P.E. Sex education, Science, Drama, Holy Books. We were all conscious that there are a variety of opinions from within a faith group about each subject, but this paper has been checked by at least one member of the faith group represented on Harrow SACRE. Particular thanks to the following who attend the working party and many others who have made subsequent contributions: Martha Besser Phiroza Gan-Kotwal Sukaina Gulamhusein Mary Hale Don Liversedge Paramjit –Singh-Kohli Pat Stevens Alison Stowe Dress: Buddhist – wear the dress of the community in w