Why we Study Religious Education
At our school, Religious Education (RE) is a vital part of the curriculum that enables children to make sense of the world around them and their place within it. Through a carefully planned RE programme, pupils explore a wide range of religious and non‑religious worldviews, supporting their intellectual, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
RE encourages pupils to engage with big questions about identity, belief, morality, meaning and belonging. Using an enquiry‑based approach, children are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, reflect on their own views and explore the beliefs and values of others. This supports pupils in developing respect, empathy and understanding in an increasingly diverse and multicultural society.
By studying RE, pupils learn to appreciate different perspectives, challenge stereotypes and engage in respectful dialogue. The subject helps children to recognise shared human values while understanding difference, preparing them to be thoughtful, compassionate and informed citizens who can contribute positively to modern Britain and the wider world.
How we Teach Religious Education
Religious Education at our school follows the Jigsaw PSHE programme, a progressive and age‑appropriate scheme of work and an enquiry‑based model, structured around key themes and concepts. Each unit is carefully planned to build pupils’ understanding of a range of religious and non‑religious worldviews, including Christianity, Islam, Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), Buddhism, Judaism and Humanism, with clear progression in both knowledge and skills as pupils move through the school.
RE is taught through three key lenses:
- Personal development, which focuses on personal resonance with or reflection on the concept/belief underlying the subject matter of the enquiry.
- Substantiative/subject knowledge, which focuses on the knowledge and understanding of the subject matter of that enquiry.
- Disciplinary knowledge, which focuses on the skills of evaluation, research, critical thinking in relation to the enquiry question.
Lessons are enriched through the use of stories, artefacts, sensory experiences, music, cooking, art, discussion and research. Learning is further strengthened through assemblies, themed days and visitors, helping RE to remain a vibrant, engaging and inclusive part of school life.
What is Special About Religious Education in Our School
As the diversity within our school community is limited, it is especially important that pupils develop an understanding of the wide range of religious and non‑religious worldviews represented in wider society. We actively prepare our pupils for life in modern Britain by promoting key British Values, including respect and tolerance for different faiths and beliefs, and by challenging racism and all forms of prejudice.
We value strong links with local faith practitioners and welcome their contribution to our RE provision. Pupils are given opportunities, when appropriate, to visit places of worship and to meet members of faith communities, enabling them to encounter religions as living worldviews in contemporary Britain.
Throughout their time at school, pupils take part in whole‑school celebrations of diversity, including Chinese New Year and Harvest Festival. RE is identified as a key subject through which pupils develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, and through which they learn to reflect critically, express their ideas confidently and respect the views of others.