Intent

The RE curriculum at Lings Primary School is organised to support the development of children’s knowledge of religious and non-religious beliefs and worldviews, practices and ways of life and enable children to make links between these. It also develops children’s knowledge and understanding of the different members of our rich and diverse community. Knowledge and skills are supported by first-hand experiences, including visits to local places of worship and visits from faith communities. Knowledge and skills are mapped to support children’s understanding of religion and faith. The RE curriculum is also designed to support positive attitudes and values, as well as encouraging children to reflect and relate learning to their own experience. Children learn that there are those who do not hold religious beliefs and have their own philosophical perspectives, as part of its commitment to ensure mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths.

Implementation

RE is taught in a weekly lesson every half term. Work is evidenced with a variety of outcomes, including written pieces, artwork and photographs. In addition to this, teachers identify, plan for and utilise further cross-curricular links which are stated on the school’s planning. As children progress through the programme of study, they can look deeper into spiritual, ethical, moral and social issues and with increasing breadth across different religions and worldviews through time and around the world. Learning is planned and sequenced to support pupils in building an ever-increasing picture over time, constantly building their knowledge and understanding of key subject knowledge and specialist vocabulary around concepts focusing on Believing, Living and Thinking. As pupils move through the Religious Education curriculum and the content of the learning increases in complexity, depth and breadth, the expectations of pupils to explain ‘what’ the beliefs, practices and values are and the relationships between them, as well as explaining ‘why’ these are important and may make a difference to people, and ‘how’ they relate, change or impact on a wider world view also increases.

During KS1, children will explore and develop their knowledge and understanding of beliefs and practices of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They will be encouraged to raise questions and begin to express their own views in response to the material they learn about and in response to questions about their ideas. The following areas of focus have been selected: Belonging to communities, caring for the world and others, Bible stories, Christmas through gifts and messages, Judaism, Islam, Easter, How Christians put their beliefs into action and Sacred Places. During KS2, the  RE  curriculum  provides  opportunities  for  children  to  make connections between  their  knowledge  and  understanding  of  Christianity  and  the  religious traditions and beliefs in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and those of no faith. They will be provided with learning opportunities to make connections between the beliefs of others and their own lives and their way of understanding the world.

Withdrawal from RE

RE is for all pupils in all schools. Every pupil has a legal entitlement to RE. It must be provided for all registered pupils in state-funded schools in England, unless withdrawn by parents.

In the UK, parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to make their own provision. The alternative is the responsibility of the parent. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE and can do so without giving explanation.

If a request for withdrawal is made then this should be done in writing. Opportunity will be given to discuss the request so that it can be properly understood if the parent wishes to do so. It is good practice to discuss requests as it helps understand the reasons for withdrawal but parents are not obliged to do so.

If a pupil is withdrawn, the school has a duty of care to look after them, but not to provide alternative education. This time cannot be used for other curriculum subject areas.

As a school, we value the learning opportunities that RE provides as it promotes religious literacy, cultural diversity and the social development of children.

We are happy to discuss the learning that takes place in RE should you wish to do so. Copies of our long-term map for RE can be found on this website.

Subject Documents