Religious Education
Radwinter C of E Primary School
Religious Education
What will children learn?
Religious Education has a significant role in the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs and encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging through self-awareness and reflection. The principle aim of RE is to engage pupils in an enquiry approach where they can develop an understanding and appreciation for the expression of beliefs and cultural practices of principle religions and worldviews in the local, national and wider global community. At Radwinter, It is our intent for the Religious Education element of our school curriculum to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to answer challenging questions and to become religiously literate. Through a balance of the different disciplines of theology (believing), philosophy (thinking) and human/social sciences (living) we allow our children opportunities to explore different religious beliefs, values and traditions and develop a more rigorous understanding of the way in which they are followed in a multi-cultural society.
How will children be taught?
Our curriculum is broad, balanced and is rooted in a multidisciplinary approach to religious education and worldviews. It provides a balance of the different disciplines of theology (believing), philosophy (thinking), and human and social sciences (living). Following an enquiry-based approach, the core body of knowledge to be investigated is rooted in the academic disciplines but has also been contextualised for our school. This curriculum aims to support the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development of our pupils as well as their mental and physical development and seeks to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. The curriculum is a spiral curriculum meaning that pupils’ previous learning, understanding and experiences are built upon and developed in order to best support them in becoming religiously literate.
In EYFS and KS1, pupils will focus on two key world religions (Christianity and Hinduism) as well as engaging in enquiries which further expand their understanding of multifaith and worldviews in encountering religions units. In KS2 pupils will focus on three key world religions (Christianity, Hinduism and Islam) as well as engaging in enquiries which further expand their knowledge of multifaith and worldviews in encountering religions units.
Religious Education is generally taught on a weekly basis, but is sometimes delivered through a class topic or as a whole-school RE day. Teachers may develop their own key questions linked to the themes in the syllabus, allowing links with other subject areas where appropriate.
Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.
What will the outcomes for children be?
The children at Radwinter C of E Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and worldviews and exploring why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, pupils are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and their wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. It is our belief that our enquiry-based curriculum allows pupils to explore big concepts in a safe but challenging way and that this supports them in becoming religiously literate and preparing them to live life to the fullest in a multicultural, modern society.
Assessment in RE is carried out on a regular basis through making informal judgements via observations and discussion with the children and through the work they produce in RE lessons. Pupils are assessed against the key learning identified in the syllabus to give an overall judgement of their understanding of Religious Education. Assessments and moderation of the pupils’ understanding and progress is used to inform future planning and to ensure continued high standards.
If you would like further information on the curriculum we teach, please contact the school directly.