R.E.
RE ‘should explore the important role that religious and non-religious worldviews play in all human life. This is an essential area of study if pupils are to be well prepared for life in a world where controversy over such matters is pervasive and where many people lack the knowledge to make their own informed decisions. It is a subject for all pupils, whatever their own family background and personal beliefs and practices.’ Commission on RE, September 2018.
Intent
At Featherbank Primary school we aim to deliver an RE curriculum that aims to develop pupils’ understanding of world faiths and other beliefs, exploring their commonality and diversity.
It is about ‘belonging’. Our syllabus aims to nurture pupils’ awareness of diversity as well as sensitivity to the challenges that different views and cultures can present. Ultimately, we all share a common humanity, and we share this patch of the Earth.
Implementation
Teachers across the school use long term plans that supports our Believing and Belonging syllabus. A variety of teaching and learning styles are used which allow children to demonstrate their knowledge in a creative manner. This is done by:
Early Years Foundation Stage
In the Early Year foundation stage pupils will encounter religions and other world views through special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship. They will listen to and talk about stories from a range of different religions and world views. Pupils will be introduced to subject specific words and use all their senses to encounter beliefs and practices. They will be encouraged to ask questions and talk about their own feelings and experiences. Pupils will use their imagination and curiosity to develop appreciation of, and wonder at, the natural world. They will learn to appreciate and value human beings, recognising and encountering diversity. In the early years material are drawn from Christianity and at least one other religious tradition.
Key Stage One
In Key stage one pupils will develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and world views, recognising local, national and global contexts. They will begin to use basic subject specific vocabulary. They will be able to ask questions about beliefs and find out about questions of right and wrong and begin to respond with their own views. Teaching and learning in Key stage one will be focused around Christianity and Islam, alongside understanding of non-religious approaches to life. Aspects of other faiths may be included as appropriate, such as teaching about specific festivals or rituals.
Key Stage Two
In Key stage two pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding of religions, beliefs and values, recognising personal, local, national and global contexts. They will be introduced to an extended range of sources and subject specific vocabulary. They will be encouraged to be curious and to ask and discuss increasingly challenging questions about beliefs, values and human life, drawing on the insights of religions and other world views. Pupils will respond with their own ideas, identifying relevant information, selecting examples and giving reasons to support their ideas and views. In key stage two, teaching and learning should build on the KS1 focus around Christianity and Islam, and be extended to the study of Judaism and Sikhism, alongside developing understanding of non-religious approaches to life. Aspects of other faiths may be included as appropriate, such as teaching about a specific concept, festival or practice.
Impact
By the time children at Featherbank leave our school they should have developed:
- Knowledge about the beliefs and practices of religions and other world views.
- Address questions of meaning, purpose and value.
- An ability to investigate how religions and other world views influence morality, identity and diversity.
