Religious Education

In Church of England schools, where pupils and staff come from all faiths and none, religious education (RE) is a highly valued academic subject that enables understanding of how religion and beliefs affect our lives. At the heart of RE in church schools is the teaching of Christianity and pupils also learn about other faiths and world views.

All children need to acquire core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of the religions and worldviews which not only shape their history and culture but which guide their own development. The modern world needs young people who are sufficiently confident in their own beliefs and values that they can respect the religious and cultural differences of others, and contribute to a cohesive and compassionate society.

It is our school’s vision to provide an RE curriculum that inspires and engages all pupils and develops their skills in an enabling and nurturing environment. It is a curriculum that is progressive and that will help pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of Christianity as a living world faith and apply the school Christian values to their lives and work. We also intend to develop knowledge and understanding of major world religions as the children will learn about the main beliefs, special days and religious festivals from different faiths, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism.

We want to instil in our children a thirst for knowledge and respect for different worldviews through a curriculum designed to develop their ability to reflect on their religious and spiritual convictions, as well as give them the opportunity to discuss and debate current big questions and sensitive issues. We also intend to teach children to take ownership of their own learning by regularly letting them take a lead in the development and planning of collective worship both in school and in our Parish Church.

We believe that a comprehensive and creative approach to RE is the entitlement of all children, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, class, aptitude or disability.

Aims

• To know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical text

• To gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews being studied

• To engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience

• To recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places

• To explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking

Attitudes

• Encouraging the development of positive attitudes to RE

• Encouraging open-mindedness, respect and an understanding of their own and others’ beliefs

• Developing our children’s social skills to work cooperatively with others regardless of their beliefs, thoughts and opinions

• Providing our children with experiences to broaden their understanding of different faiths and religions

• Encouraging children to use their knowledge and understanding of faiths to be able to participate and integrate into a diverse community

Skills

• Enable children to use the correct religious terminology to explain religious beliefs and value systems

• Make and explain links between beliefs, stories and practices

• Ask significant questions and suggest answers about religions and beliefs to deepen their understanding

• Share personal experiences linked to their own faith.

• Explain the significance of Christian practices and those of other faiths studied to the lives of individuals and communities