Intent
Religious Education in Church of England Schools: A Statement of Entitlement’ (2016)
- 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 living, believing and thinking.
Our curriculum promotes a love and appreciation of life and learning enabling children to realise a passion for what is possible and enjoy life in all its fullness. We are clear that our curriculum, is a collection of academic subjects in which children learn about key concepts within the subject and develop a secure understanding of the subject discipline. At the point of planning we always ask ‘What will children learn about Religious Education though the study of …’. Our implementation of RE teaches children to learn about other religions and gaining a strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together. It also teaches our children to learn from religion by linking the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose. We consider why one aspect is important to a believer and help children to relate the aspect to their own life.
Implementation
Principal aim (Agreed Syllabus)
The principal aim of RE is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own. The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils know about and understand a range of religions and world views, so that they can:
- Describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals.
- Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses, offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews.
- Appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- Explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities.
- Express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues.
- Appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.
- Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth.
- Responding creatively enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all.
- Articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.
Impact
Quality first curriculum implementation in RE supports children in becoming secure and fluent in the identified agreed core knowledge and skills. Fluency and security in this core knowledge allows children to explore concepts in greater depth whilst allowing children to find their own place within a diverse, multi-religious society. This then enables children to articulate informed responses about religion and non-religion and provides them with the opportunity to discover their own place in our world. At Wouldham the journey to becoming RE literate begins in the Early Years. Our youngest children learn about RE following the appropriate EY units from the agreed syllabus which connect with the EYFS areas of learning known as ‘Understanding of the World’ and ‘Personal, Social and Emotional Development’. These will also be complemented by exploration of children’s interest and the ‘here and how’ gained from the observation, assessment and planning cycle. For instance, children will explore their own identity and listen to ideas of those around them, when taking part in circle time. Positive conversations are modelled and shared, to develop positive attitudes about the differences between people. By the time children reach the end of Year Six they will have developed a secure religious understanding and will be working in line with age related national expectations. All children will have had the opportunity to visit several religious buildings in their time at Wouldham. Our RE curriculum allows children to develop a deep knowledge and secure understanding of the Christian faith. Our children will also learn about the Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism faiths to reflect upon our diverse society. Through the teaching of RE, children will develop a wide range of lifelong skills including investigation, interpretation, evaluation and reflection. RE helps children to combat prejudice, appreciate diversity and promotes the essential values of tolerance and respect. During RE lessons, children are encouraged to participate in philosophical discussions, exploring some of life’s big questions. They will reflect upon their own ideas and beliefs and listen to those of others, in an environment where everyone is listened to, respected and valued.
Skills Progression
- Enquiry skills are necessary in order that children will become critical thinkers and learners. These skills are woven through the curriculum to help children learn and retain the relevant subject knowledge.
- Ask questions to explore concepts and ideas.
- Access and interpret primary and secondary sources of information.
- Make connections between what is already known and new knowledge.
- Take part in discussions and debates using known information.
- Describe, compare and contrast knowledge and understanding regarding beliefs and practices.
- Form an opinion through analysis, empathising and interpreting.
- Present information to others.
Cognitive Strategies
- Summarising in own words.
- Regular low stakes recall.
- Recall and explain to others.
- Make connections between knowledge within concepts.
- Elaborate in more detail.
- Describe events in a logical sequence or particular chronology.
