kat, Wolfgang - there is a similar set up in N.Ireland:

"Religious Education
All schools, except nursery and special schools, must provide religious education for all pupils as part of the curriculum, and must also give then the opportunity to take part in daily collective worship.

As a parent you have, however, the right to ask that your child should be excused from attending classes in religious education, or from collective worship, or both.

In special schools, religious education and collective worship will be provided insofar as this is practicable.

From September 1993 a core syllabus for religious education must be used in all grant- aided schools."

(from The Parents' Charter for Northern Ireland)