Religious Education
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Intent |
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At Woodloes Primary School, we believe that it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Religious Education is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy of the school. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens.
Our curriculum is designed to encourage creativity, imagination, enquiry, debate, discussion and independence.
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Implementation |
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At Woodloes Primary School, the Discovery RE Scheme is used to plan and teach RE sessions. These sessions cover the principal religions of: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
Within all sessions taught, there are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds and beliefs and values of the children or staff; we value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely.
Each academic year, Christianity is studied (including annual units linked to Christmas and Easter) alongside one other principal religion. The contents of the Christianity sessions, as well as those exploring the principal religions, follow a progression of skills and subject knowledge.
At the start of each unit, an enquiry question is posed to the children, and subsequent sessions equip pupils with the relevant skills and knowledge to answer this question.
Linked to each enquiry area, there are the equivalent of 6 lessons, but these may be blocked together if it is felt that this teaching approach will enhance the learning. The content of these sessions allows pupils to develop their subject knowledge in order to be able answer the enquiry question. They also enable pupils to develop their critical thinking and evaluation skills and apply the knowledge to the enquiry question.
Each enquiry has a learning objective which shows the learning over the enquiry and SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) development opportunities are mapped throughout, as is each enquiry’s contribution to the British Values agenda. Religious Education is a key player in engendering knowledge and understanding which can lead to tolerance and respect for others and their beliefs. It does not, however, teach children to passively accept, but rather encourages evaluation and critical thinking, equipping them to consider belief positions they encounter.
Within the curriculum, all religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity, and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils.
As stated in the ‘Religious Education in English Schools Non-Statutory Guidance 2010’, parents/carers are able to withdraw their child/children from RE sessions.
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Impact |
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The children at Woodloes Primary enjoy learning about other religions. Through their R.E. learning, the children can make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life.
Assessments linked to RE take place throughout the academic year and children are assessed against age related expectations by their Class Teacher, or provider of the sessions. The results of these assessments are recorded and used to inform judgements linked to attainment and progress, which are shared with parents/carers in the end of year report.
The impact of the RE curriculum at Woodloes Primary School is assessed through subject specific monitoring and participation in the deep dive process. Accompanying evidence will be provided through pupil interviews, lesson visits, teacher questionnaires, work trawls, learning walks and the analysis of data.
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