Withdrawal from Religious  Education
Every maintained school in England must provide a basic curriculum (RE, Sex Education, and the National Curriculum). This includes provision for RE for all registered pupils at the school (including those in the sixth form), except for those withdrawn by their parents (or withdrawing themselves if they are aged 18 or over) in accordance with Schedule 19 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The use of the right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents (or pupils themselves if they are aged 18 or over), and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given. If pupils are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Information on the provision made for Religious Education and of parental right of withdrawal must be included in the school or college prospectus.