Religious Education
Curriculum Intent
Our intention is that our Religious Education curriculum will enable us to ‘grow courageous learners’. Through our RE themes children will explore big questions about life, in order to find out what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can make sense of religion and worldviews, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.
The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils achieve 3 main aims:
- Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews1, 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 wisdom2 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.
Implementation
Our curriculum is delivered through high quality units of planning from North Yorkshire County Council. There are between 4-6 units per year group and lessons are planned based on the outcomes outlined in each unit in order to build on prior knowledge and skills.
We aim to make learning difficult to resist. Our curriculum is about providing children with excitement for and inspiration to learn. We encourage discussion to develop enquiring minds, and confident self-expression. We build learning experiences which inspire and challenge pupils, as well as support and encourage children to explore their own ideas around the subject. This approach enables a sense of purpose which is deepened by participation, contribution and collaboration from all children.
Their published work is a reflection of their hard work and a celebration of their achievements, expression and self-discovery.
We recognise the importance of sequenced and spaced learning, retrieval practice and developing links between concepts as the key to making learning 'stick'.
Impact
Pupils will have an overall understanding of the diversity of religion, and create their own understanding of what ‘faith’ means.
Pupils will appreciate that there is a wide range of beliefs and faiths, and that there is no one ‘correct’ belief. They will be accepting of other peoples faiths, and cultures and respect difference and uniqueness.
Pupils will gain respect understanding and tolerance of the views of others’, which will support their development and open-mindedness in the future.
Pupils will be able to discuss and appreciate a wide range of beliefs, and the fundamental principles behind them.
All children including those with additional needs will be supported to access the curriculum to make sense of the diverse world that we live in. They will be supported to record in a variety of ways, depending on needs and be able to achieve success.
