Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship. Children withdrawn will be supervised by a member of staff.
As a school, we are committed to a clear and sensitive programme of Religious Education (RE).
RE plays an important role in defining the school’s distinctive Christian character. The subject is regarded as a core subject within the school’s curriculum. It has a vital role in developing and deepening pupils understanding of Christianity, in all its forms, and fostering appreciation and understanding of other faith traditions.
As the Church of England document, ‘Making a difference? A review of Religious Education in Church of England schools 2014’ recommends that the RE curriculum in all schools should,
“.......ensure it provides a more coherent, progressive and challenging approach to the teaching of Christianity within the context of the wider exploration of the diversity of religion and belief in the modern world”
“......explore ways of extending pupils’ ability to think theologically and engage in theological enquiry as part of their learning in RE”
RE Statement of Entitlement
RE teaching at this school will be in line with the recommendations of the Statement of Entitlement for Church Schools, published by the Church of England Education Office (June 2016), see link below:
https://www.churchofengland.org/media/1384868/re_statement_of_entitlement_2016.pdf
Christianity will, therefore, be no less than two thirds of RE curriculum time. The teaching of Christianity is core to the teaching of RE in this Church of England school. However, as a Church school we have a duty to foster an accurate and increasing understanding of world religions and worldviews. As a result, pupils will gain greater insight into the world in which they are growing up. They will also learn to appreciate the faith of others and develop a deeper understanding of their own ideas and beliefs. These outcomes must contribute to harmonious relationships within and between communities, promoting social inclusion and combating prejudice and discrimination.
The RE curriculum
RE teaching also follows the legal requirements of the Education Reform Act (1988), which places RE as part of the basic curriculum; a statutory subject which is an entitlement for all pupils. The school bases its RE provision on the Lichfield Locally Agreed Syllabus. In addition, the school uses the Lichfield Diocesan RE Guidelines, Understanding Christianity resources and other appropriate materials to enhance teaching and learning.
At least 5% of curriculum time will be dedicated to meeting explicitly RE objectives, although the subject may be taught across the curriculum when appropriate. Within this teaching allocation at least two thirds of subject content will be allocated to an exploration of the Christian faith, and the concepts, beliefs, teachings and practices that lie at its heart.
Intent
- To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage.
- To enable pupils to know and understand about other major world religions and worldviews, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights.
- To enable pupils to develop knowledge and skills in making sense of religious texts and teachings and understanding their impact on the lives of believers.
- To develop pupils’ abilities to connect, critically reflect upon, evaluate and apply their learning to their own growing understanding of religion and belief, of themselves, the world and human experience.
- To develop an understanding of religious faith as the search for and expression of truth, and so to consider important human questions, values and concerns.
- To nurture understanding, respect and open-mindedness and inspire lifelong engagement with the study of religions and beliefs.
Implementation
All learning is planned in the light of the teaching context and the age and ability of the child. Following agreement by the governors, the school has adopted the Understanding Christianity scheme of work on a three-year cycle. Additional religions that are taught are Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.
In RE pupils will be encouraged / have opportunities to:
- Think theologically and explore ultimate questions
- Give a theologically informed and thoughtful account of Christianity as a living and diverse faith.
- Develop the skills to analyse, interpret and apply the Bible text
- Engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of other faiths and none.
- Recognise that faith is a particular way of understanding and responding to God and the world
- Analyse and explain the varied nature and traditions of the Christian community
- Show an informed and respectful attitude to religions and world views in their search for God and meaning.
- Reflect sensitively on areas of shared belief and practice between different faiths
- Enrich and expand their understanding of truth
- Reflect critically and responsibly on their own spiritual, philosophical and ethical convictions.
- Express religious ideas with the appropriate language, vocabulary and terminology
- Be confident in expressing and nurturing their own faith journey
Impact
The outcomes for pupils at the end of their time in our school are that they are able to:
- Compare and contrast the key beliefs and practices of the religions studied and show how they are connected to believers’ lives
- Describe different aspects of belonging to a religion – symbol, story, festival, belief, faith in action, ritual, worship
- Express religious beliefs and ideas with the appropriate language, vocabulary and terminology and describe what they mean
- Ask questions sensitively about the lives of believers and suggest appropriate answers
- Reflect on the decisions people make – including believers – and suggest possible outcomes
- Compare their own experience and identity with others – including believers
- Reflect and empathise with the big questions of life, suggesting some answers / insights
- Be confident to explore their own spirituality and search for truth
- Value the religious journey of faith
- Develop pupils' ability to interpret and appreciate religious imagery and expression
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC)
In addition, the subject contributes to other areas of education and human experience and plays an important part of the wider programme of spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development.
| Spiritual |
Widening pupils’ vision of themselves and their own experience, within the context of a growing awareness and understanding of God. |
| Moral | helping each pupil develop their own informed values |
| Social | helping pupils understand some major forces shaping the values of our society |
| Cultural | aiding pupils in exploring aspects of their own cultural heritage, and developing positive attitudes towards diversity. |
Additional links will be found across the curriculum especially with personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE) and British values. RE can also make a positive contribution to enhancing creativity and enjoyment and ensure the well-being of all pupils.
