Religious Education

As a Church of England (Aided) school, the main focus of RE is the Christian faith that shapes the ethos and values of our school community, however we also learn about other religions around the world. 80% of the RE learning in KS1 is about Christianity and 70% of the learning in KS2 is about Christianity. We follow the Guildford Diocese RE Guidelines. These enable the pupils to pose questions and develop skills relevant to the world today whilst exploring the Christian faith more deeply. The RE curriculum forms an important part of our school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) teaching.

We use a variety of ways to learn, understand and explore various religions including role play, discussions, art, debates, visits, visitors, Pause Days and close links to the St Lawrence Church. Through these we are aiming for 10% of the timetable to be RE. The children are given feedback from the previous lesson and are assessed at the end of every topic as to how much they understood.

Intent:

Religious education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum of St Lawrence C of E Primary It is neither a core nor a foundation subject; the 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.

Through our Religious Education curriculum, we aim:

To engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
To provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain.
To develop their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
To enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance.
To enable learners to become aware of their own beliefs and values and to have a positive attitude to the search for meaning and purpose in life.
To encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.

Implementation:

Legal requirements for Religious Education:

Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group and ‘should be provided for all registered pupils except those withdrawn at the request of their parents.’ (s 71 SSFA 1998
Parents have the right to request that their son or daughter be excused from all or part of the RE provided at school.
The syllabus should ‘reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.’ (s375 (3) Education Act 1996)
We ensure that we comply with the legal requirements by following the Guildford Diocesan Board of Education Guidelines and the additional supplementary units. These provide detailed guidelines and ensure continuity and progression in the teaching of Religious Education.
Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis but is sometimes delivered as a whole-school RE day.
Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.
Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus and pupils are assessed at the end of each unit.
We track individual pupil’s progress in this way, whilst also bearing in mind that the statements do not cover all aspects of teaching and learning in RE. For example, pupil’s personal views and ideas are not subject to formal assessment, and yet are central to good RE.
Progress in RE is reported annually to parents and has a prominent position in the end of year report.
In addition, pupils are encouraged to explore and to ask ‘big questions’ about life, religion, nature, science and any other area of fascination, developing their own spirituality.

Impact:

Religious Education at St Lawrence develops pupils’…

Knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;
Understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths;
Understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures;
Skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
Skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.

Religious Education at St Lawrence encourages pupils to…

Consider challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human;
Understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;
Learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;
Learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues;
Develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society;
Develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Religious Education at St Lawrence enhances pupils’…

Awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
Ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses
Opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development

Progression:

EYFS Progression of skills in RE

KS1 - End of Year 2 - Progression of skills in RE KS2 - End of Year 4 - Progression of skills in RE

KS2 - End of Year 6 - Progression of skills in RE