RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)
Curriculum Intent
RE provokes challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. The teaching of RE will equip pupils with knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and world views, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identity. Pupils will learn how to study religions and world views systematically, making progress by reflecting on the impact of religions and world views on contemporary life locally, nationally and globally to increasing levels of complexity and depth. They learn to articulate clear and coherent accounts of their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to have different views, values and ways of life.
RE will be planned and delivered in ways that are creative, spiritual, and thoughtful. Children will be allowed opportunities to reflect upon what they have learned about others, considering how this affects their own life.
Some of RE must be knowledge based, where children are taught factual information about the many world religions. However, the main and most valuable learning in RE will focus upon discussions, opinions, and debates about what the children have learned. Teachers will plan opportunities for Children to ask ‘so...what? What does this mean for me?’
In foundation, our aim is to enable children to understand more about their own community and increase their knowledge about the world around them. We provide children with opportunities to engage with texts that further their understanding of our diverse world. Children explore similarities and differences between different religions and cultural communities. Our aim is that children are able to discuss their opinions, make comparisons using their own experiences and show thoughtfulness towards others. Children should leave foundation ready for their knowledge and skills to be built upon in year 1, where more focussed learning about religions begins.
Implementation
Legal requirements for Religious Education:
Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group and should be provided for all registered pupils except those withdrawn at the request of their parents.
We ensure that we comply with the legal requirements by following the Sheffield Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.
Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis to ensure it holds the same weight as other non-core subjects. Teachers may develop their own key questions linked to the themes in the syllabus, allowing links with other subject areas where appropriate.
Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.
Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus, which in turn have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally.
Progress in RE is reported annually to parents.
The whole school learning overview for RE has been developed so that it is both systematic and progressive. Each year group learns about a familiar religion, with new religions introduced in a way that makes the application of their creative, spiritual and thoughtful reflections easy to apply in the context of a new religion.
The whole school learning overview for Mosborough can be found in Staffshare>RE>Main Documents.
In foundation, all 7 areas of learning are important and interconnected, therefore experiences will occur across many different opportunities offered through our curriculum. Direct adult-teaching is offered as part of our curriculum alongside an enabling environment that provides a wide range of learning experiences.Links to RE are made through the area of learning, ‘Understanding the World - People and Communities’.
Through stories, poems and non-fiction texts children learn about a range of other religions and cultures. This includes exploring celebrations such as Christmas and Diwali. Adult directed teaching allows for sharing of ideas, asking & answering questions and focused discussions while experiences in the provision allow children to explore similarities and differences at their own level.
Impact
Religious Education at Mosborough develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;. It allows understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths. We ensure we allow for a deep understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures. RE at Mosborough develops childrens’ skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy, as well as skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.
Religious Education at Mosborough encourages pupils to consider challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.We allow children the opportunity to understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
Children will learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs, as well as learning about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues. Children will develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society. They will develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
Religious Education at Mosborough enhances pupils’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression. Pupils will be allowed opportunities to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.
Religious Education at Mosborough will offer opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
