Religious Education

Our vision for RE

“Religious education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together. Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions (and worldviews) and for the religious freedom of each person.” Statement of Entitlement (2019)

 

In accordance with the Statement of Entitlement Document written by the Church Of England (2019) we aim to ensure all pupils:

  • Study a two-third Christianity and one-third World Faiths curriculum in KS1 and KS2. In EYFS, the children will study a Christianity based curriculum.
  • Have the opportunity to acquire a rich, deep knowledge and understanding of Christian belief and practice, this should include the ways in which it is unique and diverse.
  • Engage with biblical text and theological ideas.
  • Have the opportunities to learn about and from religion from a variety of resources.
  • Are engaged and challenged through an exploration of core concepts and ‘Big’ questions.
  • Can engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
  • Have opportunities to engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with a range of religions and worldviews.

At St Mary’s we follow the revised London Diocese Board for Schools (LDBS) Syllabus which supports us in achieving our vision.

“St Mary’s…feeding the mind, body and spirit so we can be the best we can be.”

By following the LDBS syllabus we intend:

  • To enable all children to become religiously literate.
  • To ensure RE enables all children to live life in all its fullness – vision for Education (Church of England)
  • To offer a systematic enquiry- based approach to the teaching of RE so that the following skills in children can be developed:

*Ability to be critical thinkers

*Ability to engage critically with texts

*Ability to ask deep and meaningful questions

*Ability to make connections within and across religions and worldviews

*Ability to reflect, respond and express their own religious, spiritual and/or    philosophical convictions

*Ability to make their own choices and decisions concerning religion and belief based on a deep knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews, belief systems, values and practices.

The units of Learning:

  • Are rooted in theological concepts, strong subject knowledge and content.
  • Offer a balanced curriculum which enquires into religions and worldviews through theology, philosophy and the human and social sciences.
  • Offer sequential learning both in terms of knowledge and skills across the primary age range.
  • Offer motivating, engaging and creative lessons for all children.
  • Provide opportunities for children to develop empathy towards people of similar or differing religious or worldviews to their own.

Units of Learning:

  • EYFS study a Christianity based curriculum.
  • KS1 and KS2 study a two third Christianity and one third World Faiths.
  • The KS1 World Faiths studied are:
    • Judaism and Islam.
  • The KS2 World Faiths studied are:
    • Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.

Within the World Faith units, the following topics are explored:

  • The main teachings and beliefs of the Faith.
  • Beliefs and practices and the impact they have on the life of the believer.
  • How key festivals within the Faith are celebrated within the Faith community.

Parental Rights of Withdrawal in a Voluntary Aided School.

As an inclusive school that respects each other’s similarities and differences we encourage full participation in RE and Collective Worship. However, where there are concerns we invite parents to discuss the benefits of reflection and teaching RE in today’s challenging world.

Parents still have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education and collective worship. If this is something a parent wishes to do we ask that they speak to the Headteacher.

RE Curriculum Overview

Disciplinary knowledge and skills