Religious Education

The Religious Education curriculum is based around thought-provoking questions. This allows pupils to share their experiences, to learn from one another and from religious beliefs. It makes space for all pupils to explore their own beliefs, values and traditions, and those of others, in engaging ways. It supports children to develop positive attitudes and respect for all religions and worldviews. It prepares pupils for citizenship in a diverse and rapidly changing world. It explores some aspects of British Values in relation to religions and world views. Our pupils live in a diverse community and we want them to recognise and value the benefits of diverse and inclusive communities. The RE curriculum plays a part in this.

RE supports pupils as they broaden their vocabulary and develop oracy. We provide opportunities for pupils to reflect and to agree or disagree respectfully. We help them to self-regulate their emotions; thus, improving their mental health.

The curriculum content for RE is structured so that it broadens and deepens pupils’ understanding and knowledge over time. This is also across and between year groups and key stages. Learning is sequenced progressively to develop understanding of faith and associated communities and some of the world’s religions.

In EYFS, pupils encounter religions and world views. This is through special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship. They listen to and talk about stories. They ask questions and reflect on their own feelings and experiences. They use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation of, and wonder at, the world in which they live.

In Key Stage 1, pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews. They will recognise their local, national and global contexts. They will raise questions and begin to express their own views. This is in response to the material they learn about and in response to questions about their ideas.

In Key Stage 2, pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews. They will recognise their local, national and global contexts. They will be encouraged to be curious. We want them to ask increasingly challenging questions about religion, belief, values and human life. Pupils will learn to express their own ideas. This will be by identifying relevant information, selecting examples and giving reasons to support their ideas and views.