Religious Education

RE Intent

As a school, it is our aim to instil a love of RE in all our children.

We provide an interesting and varied curriculum that intrigues, motivates and challenges our children.

From EYFS up to the end of KS2, the children will be taught about a range of world religions, together with humanistic beliefs. As a CofE school, Understanding Christianity is central to our RE programme.

We will make sure the core knowledge to be taught is clearly specified.

Children will develop their critical thinking skills and reflect on the similarities and differences between religious beliefs and practices.

Children will show an understanding of how belonging to a faith provides guidance for their everyday living and respond empathetically.

We will utilise opportunities to link RE to other subjects, with particular emphasis on literacy skills (speaking and listening, reading, writing) and art.

We will ensure staff have the appropriate training to deliver our RE curriculum effectively.

• To enable the children to develop their understanding for a range of different beliefs, religions and worldviews.
• To enable children to agree or disagree respectfully, recognising that different people have different beliefs, both religious and non-religious, and that these should be respected.
• To develop children’s knowledge of different places of worship, and where these are located in our community.
• To recognise that different religions have different stories and individuals that are of key importance.
• To help children become familiar with different religious celebrations and festivals throughout the year, and notice similarities and differences between these.
• To inspire and enthuse children about the vibrant multicultural and multi-faith community of which we are all part of.
• To develop our children as critical thinkers, empowering them to demonstrate courageous advocacy and develop their spirituality.
• To enable children to make connections between religions and develop their cultural understanding and respect.

RE Implementation

Our curriculum will encompass the Swindon Agreed Syllabus and the Understanding Christianity to ensure all knowledge of RE are being taught across all year groups.

All staff will use assessment for learning to ensure progress during lessons and across the themes.

Through our teaching, including the use of religious artefacts and visits, we will motivate our children to find out more about different religions.

We will support all children as appropriate so that everyone can access the curriculum.

We will provide additional challenge to children where appropriate to develop their skills and knowledge beyond the expected curriculum requirements.

Where repetition of skills or knowledge is required, these will be clearly identified

The yearly overview show both coverage of Understanding Christianity and the Agreed Syllabus. This outlines the big questions that are explored each term for each year group. The children have weekly RE sessions and sometimes whole days focusing on topics.

RE Impact

Children will enjoy RE and RE experiences and will want to find out more.

The children will be encouraged to research independently to further their own enjoyment and fascination about the topic or subject (e.g. through homework activities or independent research).

Evidence of work will show secure knowledge coverage and development, with cross-curriculum links and supported work where necessary.

Clear reflections of their own beliefs and an awareness how believer’s faith impacts on their everyday life.

A good understanding of different faith practices and beliefs will result in tolerance and understand of the differences in our society (tolerance and understanding = key British values)

Standards in RE will be high.

Subject Leaders and SLT will monitor the subject by looking at work, displays and by talking with children.

Right to Withdraw

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education. Those parents/carers wishing to exercise this right are invited in to see the head teacher and/or RE Leader, who will explore any concerns and discuss any impact that withdrawal may have on the child. The school will ensure that parents who want to withdraw their children from RE are aware of the RE syllabus and that it is relevant to all children and respects their own personal beliefs. Parents will be made aware of the learning objectives and what is covered in the RE curriculum and should be given the opportunity to discuss this, if they wish. The school may also wish to review such a request each year, in discussion with the parents. 

The use of the right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents, and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need to be given.

Where parents have requested that their child is withdrawn, their right must be respected, and where RE is integrated in the curriculum, the school will need to discuss the arrangements with the parents or carers to explore how the child’s withdrawal can be best accommodated. The purpose of the option to withdraw is to allow parents/carers to make their own arrangements for their own preferred RE, not so children can take part in other studies/activities. Once a child has been withdrawn, they cannot take part in the RE programme until the request for withdrawal has been removed.

Parents who decide to withdraw their children from RE lessons are requested to put this in writing to the Headteacher for our school records. Parents will be invited to review their request annually. 

The right of withdrawal does not extend to other areas of the curriculum when, as may happen on occasion, spontaneous questions on religious matters are raised by pupils or there are issues related to religion that arise in other subjects.