Religious Education
Our aim for religious education is to develop and extend children’s knowledge and understanding of religion, religious beliefs, practices, languages and traditions, and their influence on individuals, communities, societies and cultures.
We want children to develop a positive self-image in harmony with their own belief system whilst respecting the right of other people who hold beliefs different from their own.We offer a lively and stimulating R.E. curriculum, which is delivered in a variety of formats and provides opportunities for whole class, group and individual work. We encourage children to ask questions and have healthy discussions in order to prepare them to live in a multi-cultural and pluralist society.
The school, in consultation with the Borough Advisory Teacher for R.E., has developed a scheme of work which complies with local authority guidelines, published as “Widening Horizons”. The “Core Areas” – Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and secular world view – are drawn upon in each Key Stage. In accordance with legal requirements, more material is drawn from Christianity across each Key Stage than from any other Core Area. The “Areas of Exploration” are also developed in each Key Stage. These are: Worship and Celebration, Rites of Passage, Key Figures, Writings, Stories, Language and Symbolism, Places and Communities, Values, and Social Action and Beliefs.
In the Foundation Stage, R.E. is taught within the framework of the “Development Matters” and R.E. contributes to the following Early Learning Goals:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
R.E. in Key Stage 1 is generally delivered as a discrete subject, although links may be made with other curricular areas where and when this is appropriate. The Agreed Syllabus requires that 36 hours per year are devoted to the subject in Reception and Key Stage 1, which is equivalent to 1 hour per week.