Content covered in RE across the school ensures a wide range of religions are covered. Each topic is carefully thought out to ensure progression throughout the child’s RE journey through the school. We aim for children to explore Christianity each year, whilst also experiencing perspectives of non-Christian religions.

We use the understanding of Christianity to supplement our planning and learning, aiming to respond to the children’s thoughts and questions. We follow an enquiry approach which allows the children to not only learn new things and ask questions but to delve deeper into applying this knowledge further.

Teachers have identified the key knowledge areas and skills within each religion and these show progression throughout the school. Each lesson and new topic involves recapping previous learning, ensuring greater confidence for pupils and opportunities for reflection. This reflection is a crucial part of RE learning as it helps children foster their own opinions and ideas, but also for teachers to respond to children’s needs and questions.

Where appropriate, we make cross-curricular links so that learning is repeated in several contexts and children are given opportunities to recall knowledge and skills, strengthening their long-term memory. This also applies to our Collective Worship whereby knowledge and concepts are reflected. Educational visits and visitors are also encouraged to enable children to gain real-life experiences and interactions.

Learning and teaching in RE is interactive and practical, allowing opportunities for children to work independently, in pairs and in groups of various sizes both inside and outside of the classroom. Teachers address the varying needs of all learners, differentiating activities where necessary and as appropriate, and ensuring an appropriate level of challenge. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect understanding of the key identified knowledge.

In the Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) RE is infused throughout the child’s day to day life in the classroom. Although it is taught explicitly to the children, many important aspects of the RE curriculum can be found throughout the Prime and Specific Areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Understanding the World. The children are encouraged to explore their own ideas through play and investigate our natural world.

Parents do have a right to withdraw children from Religious Education and Collective Worship and should discuss any reservations they may have with the Headteacher. 

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Diocesan Board of Education

 

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