Religious Education
At Kingsmead Primary School, our vision is to provide children with a range of opportunities and experiences in Religious Education (RE) so they develop a broad understanding of the subject. We follow the Agreed Syllabus for RE in Chester and Cheshire West. The curriculum intends to encourage all children to explore their own and others’ questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. At Kingsmead Primary School we enrich learning by children having first hand experiences through visits, role play, stories and artefacts. These practical, hands-on experiences encourage curiosity, develop understanding and instil the tolerance needed to thrive in our community. These approaches help to promote British Values and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development. They support all children to develop by reflecting on their own beliefs and values whilst respecting the rights of others to differ.
The Agreed Syllabus for RE in Chester and Cheshire West aims to ensure that all children:
Have a statutory entitlement to Religious Education and should be given the opportunity to explore the beliefs, practices and values that shape the world today.
Through the teaching of RE, children learn the essential knowledge of other religions and worldviews, as well as skills and attitudes such as critical thinking and empathy.
Teaching of non-religious world views (including Humanism) are included in both key stages.
UKS2
‘You need a respectful and tolerant society to live in the world we live in’
‘It helps you think about big questions’
Lessons for each year group are planned collaboratively using our Progression Overviews to ensure that children develop the necessary skills needed to deepen their understanding and knowledge in RE. In EYFS, teachers also use the area in development matters titled, ‘Understanding The World’ to teach a broad and rich RE curriculum. Learning objectives and success criteria are taken from the Chester and Cheshire West Syllabus to ensure teachers can assess children’s learning and understanding. We teach RE every half term. However, this may change throughout the year as, where appropriate, as RE is also taught when religious festivals and celebrations occur in the annual calendar, to ensure children have meaningful experiences. Working in this way allows the school to invite local communities in to deliver workshops and assemblies, putting the learning into context.
Religious Education provides opportunities to promote British values through:
an acceptance that other people having different faiths or beliefs to oneself (or having none) should be accepted and respected and should not be the cause of prejudicial or discriminatory behaviour.
encouraging tolerance, mutual respect and positive attitudes towards diversity.
exploring different religious codes for human life and comparing these with the rule of British law, e.g. how the Decalogue was the basis for British law.
develop an understanding of the importance of individual liberty (which is protected in law) to choose and hold a religious or non-religious world view.
understanding religious teachings on the rights and value of the individual and exploring the importance of fairness and democracy; the rule of law & justice
In EYFS
Children will experience enquiry based RE related activities from Christianity and a range of world religions to contribute to the Foundation Stage curriculum requirements. Children explore what makes them special and unique and begin to talk about where they belong e.g. family, clubs, etc. Children talk about different communities that others may belong to, learning about key events that may take place. It is expected that by the end of the summer term, Foundation Stage classes will be moving towards the statutory requirement for KS1.
In KS1
Children will experience enquiry based learning which includes Christianity, Humanism, Judaism and Islam. Children explore different religious festivals including why they are celebrated and important and will continue to deepen their knowledge around key religious festivals in today’s society. They are able to explain how each festival is celebrated, identifying the key components. In addition, the children talk about their own lives e.g. any family traditions they may have and say why they are important to them. Children are able to give their own opinions, whilst being respectful of others’ beliefs.
In Lower Key Stage 2
Children will experience enquiry based learning in Christianity, Sikhism, Islam, Judaism and Ba’ah faith. They will explore belief in action and make connections with their own life and communities. Children will reflect on their own values and explore what they can learn from the values of believers.
In Upper Key Stage 2
Children will develop their learning in Christianity, Islam and HInduism. They will describe and make connections between different features of the religions and worldviews they have studied and talk about celebrations, worship, pilgrimages and rituals which mark important points in life and reflect on ideas. They will explore and describe a range of beliefs, symbols and actions so that they can understand different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
LKS2
‘It teaches you about values such as peace, love, forgiveness and compassion’
‘It allows you to ask questions about the world’
‘Learning about other religions and people’s lives’
KS1
‘I like the Christmas story’
‘My favourite story is the one about Rama and Sita’
Impact
Children develop an understanding of different religions and key beliefs in everyday society.
They use key vocabulary when talking about each religious festival.
Children are able to make sense of the world around them, including their place in it.
Children develop tolerance and respect for those around them.
We will be able to see that the children know more and remember more in RE, through evidence in their learning journals and pupil voice.
We will also see they are able to recall prior learning and apply it. Children will then start their next year of learning with the necessary skills and knowledge to build upon.
If you were to walk into a RE lesson at Kingsmead you would see:
Children are engaged and enthusiastic about their learning.
Children show respect towards others and others beliefs.
Children have developed their own beliefs, values and ideals in light of their experiences.