Religious Education
We teach the statutory, locally agreed, Religious Education (RE) syllabus that prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain. As well as the study of Christianity as a living and diverse faith, the programme also includes learning about a range of religions and worldviews, fostering respect for others. In order to make RE a lively, active subject, we employ a variety of teaching methods including art; music; discussion; the development of thinking skills; drama; the use of artefacts, pictures, stories; the use of periods of stillness and reflection. Where possible we want our pupils to have opportunities to encounter local faith communities through visits to local places of worship or enrichment. Please also see the National Curriculum.
Parents of pupils have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of the RE programme, and any concerns regarding this should be discussed with the headteacher.
Our intent for our R.E approach is that children:
- Become the best theologian’s they can to develop a deep understanding of the theology underpinning religious beliefs/worldviews and the ways in which these beliefs are lived out in reality.
- Are reflective, seeing varying world views and values through their own eyes.
- Develop critical thinking skills and higher order questioning when considering meaning, purpose and truth.
- Are open minded, accepting and wondrous about world-wide beliefs, further instilling these values in others and our community.
We implement this through:
- RE is taught during discrete weekly lessons, which fully immerses the children in learning about a particular religion, world view or concept.
- The North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus is used to plan sequential, challenging lessons from EYFS to Year 6.
- There is a clear progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary which supports pupils learning year on year in knowing more and remembering more.
- The children’s learning being real and meaningful by inviting visitors from various beliefs and trips to experience different religions and places of worship.
- Our enquiry-based learning, RE lessons provide opportunities to answer ‘Big Questions’ about meaning, purpose and truth. Children feel empowered to debate, discuss and answer these.
- RE books that are high quality and show a range of evidence.
The impact is:
- Learning about people from different backgrounds and environments is viewed as central to their school life.
- Thoughtfully planned religious education (RE) lessons engage pupils in comparing challenging current issues. This gives children the skills to approach real life situations and navigate through modern life; becoming well informed, open minded members of society.
- RE also provides significant opportunities for pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development for example by pupils learning about the work of Christian and Islamic charities.
RE at Home/Useful Websites
Below are website links to find out more about Religious education (RE), and things to do with your child at home. (These are all external websites, which the school has no control over)
- https://www.reonline.org.uk/
- https://request.org.uk/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/learn
