RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
‘At the heart of our RE syllabus is the quest to understand and know what it is to be human. By leanring about and from religion we can become more open minded, respectful and achieve greater self- awareness. The skills and attitudes developed through RE can thus make a significant contribution to promoting British Values and developing community cohesion’,
Lancashire SACRE
INTENT
At Fairfield Primary School, we aim to achieve high quality RE for all pupils. Our purpose is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain and worldviews which give life value; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and our behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. RE aims to enable pupils to become religiously and theologically literate so they can engage in life in an increasingly diverse society.
RE is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy of the school. At our school, Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children.
It is not about telling pupils what religious views they should have but rather assists them in gaining shared human understanding, developing personal identity and searching for meaning in the context of evaluating different viewpoints.
IMPLEMENTATION
As RE is not nationally determined, a locally agreed syllabus of RE is prepared by a local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) and adopted by our local authority. It is this Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education (Lancashire) revised 2021, which we have used as the basis of our planning and delivery of RE.
At our school, the following religions are studied from Reception to Year 6:
- Christianity
- Islam
- Judaism
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Sikhism
From the syllabus it is required that: In the Early Years Foundation Stage children will encounter Christianity and religions and beliefs represented in the class, school or local community. Religious Education will support a growing sense of the child’s awareness of self, their own community and their place within this.
- KS1 - Christianity is studied (and two other principal religions in some depth)
- Lower KS2 – Christianity (Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism)
Upper KS2 – Christianity (Judaism, Buddhism).
All six principal religions are introduced or revisited by the end of the key stage 2.
There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds and beliefs and values of the children and the staff. We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community.
We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils. We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both staff and children.
Children will have the opportunity to visit key places of worship for these other faiths and learn that respect is needed for all people regardless of their personal beliefs. As 21st century citizens, children will develop a positive attitude towards people of other faiths and mutual tolerance.
IMPACT
At Fairfield Primary School, we envision RE curriculum impacting the pupils in the following ways:
- The children enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion.
- Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing world.
Religious Education Lead: Emma Griffiths
Religious Education Progression Document Religious Education MapReligious Education Policy