Intent

RE allows the children to gain a deep awareness of their own and others’ identities as well as exploring the mysteries of life and the answers given by a wide variety of religions and beliefs.  We aim to provide a clearer idea of what religion is about, the importance that it plays in many people’s lives and how that faith is expressed in daily lives and routines. The overall aims are:

• To develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major religions in Britain and in the local community.
• To develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
• To develop children’s sense of identity and belonging
• To foster an understanding and development of the children’s own beliefs, values and morals through stimulating and interesting experiences within RE.
• That children develop a sense of awe and wonder about the world around them.
• To help pupils understand some of the impact of religion throughout the world, its influences on the lives of individuals and communities
• To support pupils’ spiritual, moral social and cultural development by encouraging self-awareness and self-respect.

We follow the Rotherham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education – 2022. The teaching of the RE syllabus promotes three key areas of learning.

A- Know about and understand a range of religions and world views, so that they can:

• Describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities.
• Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed by, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and world views.
• Appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.

B- Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and world views, 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.
• Appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.

C- Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and world views, 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 communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all;
• Articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain reasons why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.

The Rotherham Agreed Syllabus focus on developing religious literacy by focusing on three skills:

• Discovering religion: investigating religions and world views through varied experiences and disciplines, gathering a rich knowledge of many religions and worldviews.
• Developing their own views: reflecting on and expressing their own ideas and the ideas of others with increasing knowledge, creativity, and clarity.
• Being reasonable about religions: becoming increasingly able to be reasonable in their responses to religions and world views, using their skills of rationality and argument.

Implementation

RE is taught across the school from EYFS to Year 6. From Years 1 to 6 the three key areas of learning are implemented in the programs of study within the RE syllabus. Each year group covers a unit termly or every half term and these are organised to ensure continuity and progression throughout the key stages. HLTA’s teach the RE during Teachers’ PPA time.

In EYFS, pupils encounter religions, world views and different cultural festivals by hearing stories about special people, times and places. This is done through planned and purposeful play, as well as a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated activities. EYFS assess RE through the monitoring of the Early Learning Goals, (The world strand).