As a church school, the teaching of RE (Religious Education) is an important part of our curriculum. We believe that the teaching of RE should get children thinking about the big questions in life and help them to begin to form and express their own beliefs as well as understand and appreciate those of others.

Intent

It is our intent for the Religious Education curriculum to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to answer challenging questions, explore different religious beliefs, values and traditions and develop understanding of the numerous religious traditions, beliefs and practices that are followed in our multi-cultural society. We want them to know how an understanding and knowledge of religion enables pupils to combat prejudice, preparing them for adult life, employment and growing the skills to continue learning.

Though learning about Religious Education of followers of different religions (or no religion), we support children to understand and respect different opinions and beliefs and to appreciate diversity, developing the positive attitudes of:

• Self awareness
• Respect
• Open-mindedness, and
• Appreciation and wonder

It is seen to be a key element of a child’s education, a contributor to SMSC and a support to the understanding of British Values. Religious Education is a curriculum area; it not the same as Collective Worship or a school’s ethos.

Implementation

At Wetheringsett Primary School, we follow the Emmanuel Project, which is a carefully designed cycle of lessons for each subject that allows for progression and depth. Through the ‘big ideas’ of theology, philosophy and human sciences, children are asked challenging questions which enable them to apply their learning in a philosophical and open manner. The units are usually taught through weekly lessons and children enjoy whole school experience days to immerse themselves in different religions. Knowledge is continually assessed throughout the unit through questioning. All teaching styles are used to enable children of all abilities to access the learning; drama, stories, pictures, written, visual and oral discussions. Where possible we enhance learning through trips and visitors.

Impact 

Through their R.E. learning, the children develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of other people's worship and beliefs and are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. Children develop a religious vocabulary and interpret religious symbolism in a variety of forms; they reflect on questions of meaning, offering their own thoughtful and informed insights into religious and secular worldviews. Pupils demonstrate a positive attitude and respectful behaviour towards people of any religion and show an understanding of cultural beliefs different to their own. Pupils can express what they have learnt about a religion and from a religion; they are able to compare similarities and differences between different world faiths and have an understanding of how different faiths are intertwined with culture.