RE

Intent

We aim for children to learn the necessary skills and knowledge in this subject area to enable them to foster an appreciation, understanding and tolerance of all religions, seeing all as unique and valuable individuals. We encourage our children to be inquisitive about each others’ beliefs and develop their inquiry-based skills which will allow them to be culturally aware of the world around them.  We want to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage children, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to pose and answer challenging questions by allowing our children to explore different religious beliefs, values and traditions and develop a more rigorous understanding of the numerous religious traditions, beliefs and practices which are followed in our multicultural society. We want the children to know how religious education enables pupils to combat prejudice, preparing them for adult life, employment and life-long learning. We promote equality and understanding of British Values and ensure our children are prepared for life in modern multicultural Britain.

Implementation

Our Religious Education curriculum is taught using the RE Today scheme, written by NATRE. The principal aim of RE is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.

At Great Wishford Primary School we encourage the children to acquire reasoned and positive attitudes and beliefs which include a respect for and understanding of other peoples’ spiritual, religious, moral and cultural ways of life.

We help the children to appreciate the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations. We draw upon their beliefs, cultures and backgrounds to achieve these outcomes.

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:

1. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals
• identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews
• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.

2. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, 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, including ethical issues
• appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.

3. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, 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 individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all
• articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.

Impact

Through their R.E. learning children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in local, national and global communities.  Our children feel safe to learn new things, ask questions and share their beliefs with others in an accepting environment.  They develop a strong awareness of the world around them and are respectful of the beliefs of others, understanding that different communities and different beliefs are all valued and celebrated.  Children leave Great Wishford with the confidence and skills to ask questions, make decisions, make connections and become valuable members of future communities.