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In my time as vicar of St Margaret’s I have had many conversations with people of all ages who were pupils as Hasbury School, or St Margaret’s School as it was previously. Almost without exception they have spoken with fondness of their time at church and school, a link which goes right back to the building of the school by daughters of the then rector of Halesowen Parish Church. That link continues to be strong and I have had many other conversations with parents who have chosen Hasbury specifically because it is a church school or who have come to value – or who have expressed how their children value – that continuing link.
That link is strong in many ways. The school comes into church for services every term – at Christmas, Easter and the Leavers’ Service. The clergy are involved in other services that take place in the school. As vicar I regularly take acts of worship in the school and from time to time help in RE lessons, sometimes in class but often as not with the children coming over to the church. Some school pupils sing in the church choir or attend the Sunday School and some parents are members of the congregation. And of course the church is represented on the governors by three “foundation governors” who also take an active interest in the daily life of the school, as do some of the retired foundation governors.
The school’s Christian ethos – not an exclusive one, but one that welcomes people of all faiths and none – I hope informs its approach to children’s education: ensuring that every child has the best chance to develop spiritually and emotionally as well as academically and physically. Hasbury has a very strong sense of being a community in which all, children and adults alike, help one another and value one another. In the words of a song written to welcome new pupils in 2002, “To our new friends, we’d like to say, hello; to our new friends, we’d like you all to know that Hasbury is a very special school, and caring is our rule”. I have found those words to be amply justified.
Fr Rob Hall, vicar of St Margaret’s.
Daily Acts of Collective Worship
Children and staff take part in daily acts of collective worship, either as a whole school, separate departments, or as class groups. We are a Church of England School and the majority of our assemblies reflect a Christian theme, although other viewpoints and beliefs are recognised and valued.
Parents have a right, in accordance with the D.f.E.E. circular 3/89, to withdraw their child from Religious Education lessons and assemblies on account of their differing beliefs. However, we believe our ethos of inclusion and respect for all members of our school community enables children and parents/ carers to feel our acts of worship are an integral and important part of what makes a church school both distinctive and special. If you have any queries about this area of our school life please come and talk with the Headteacher or Father Rob.
Religious Education
According to the Education reform Act 1988 every school must provide Religious Education teaching for all of its registered pupils. Hasbury School's R.E. programme is in accordance with the Dudley Agreed Syllabus and reflects that the religious traditions in Great Britain are mainly Christian, whilst taking into account the teaching and practices of the other principle religions represented in the country. R.E. has equal standing in relation to the core and foundation subjects of the National Curriculum.
As stated above, parents have a right, in accordance with the D.f.E.E. circular 3/89, to withdraw their child from Religious Education lessons and assemblies on account of their differing beliefs. However, if you intend to exercise this right we would ask you first to come and discuss this decision with us.
Most of the R.E. lessons are covered in cross-curricular themes or in specific studies such as 'Places of Worship'. Work is assessed and evaluated both by staff and by the pupils. We aim to develop a positive and enthusiastic approach to the learning in R.E.
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