Initial Findings - Barnardo's Scotland Children and Young People Engagement - Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

Theme 3 – Dependent on age and reason

There was nuanced discussion of when young people should have this joint decision-making power with their parents and schools and how relevant the reasons were for opting out and in to RO and RME.

There were two prominent discussions around age, firstly that maybe younger children would have less understanding of the decision and that more decision-making power should be given as the young people increase in age:

‘Depends on the actual age. Some parents might have a 5 year old and wouldn’t be sure, but people our age should have more of a say to withdraw [or opt in] without parents’

‘think earlier the parents should be able to choose’

‘once you’re at high school you have better mental capacity’

Age 5 too young as ‘no experience to make informed decision’

In contrast other young people suggested that age is not always the best indicator for when a child should be involved in decision-making:

‘I had the choice in P1 to go to church… and I [felt] could make that choice’

‘Ask each school year – your views can change’

‘its not always age, it’s maturity level and whether the reason is valid’

Reasons:

‘yes if they have a good reason but it shouldn’t be automatic’

‘You would be able to stand up for your beliefs e.g. if you’re atheist you can choose not to take part’

‘In primary RO is Christianity and you have no idea it’s optional – that’s not clarified. Once in high school RE helps to make decisions on our beliefs.’

‘Your religion would be a valid reason, not liking teacher isn’t a valid reason or that you just don’t like it because it should be something you learn because it makes you tolerant’

In this timeline activity there was discussion on actual ages but also the stages that young people have made decisions throughout their school career:

How are you involved in decision-making in school?

• Draw a timeline of when you started to be more involved in the decisions with your parents and teachers about school life
• Think back to primary school to your school year now

Primary school

• Pick friends
• Writing topics
• Extra curricular clubs
• Whether or not to attend residential
• Holy Communion

Secondary school

• Topics in English i.e. Essays
• Choosing subjects
• Extracurricular clubs
• Supported study
• Choose your career
• Trips
• When you decide to leave