Religious Education (R.E)

Intent:

At Wansdyke, it is our aim that children acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.  We want them to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and enhance our spiritual, moral, social and cultural behaviour.  It is our hope to develop their ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues.

Implementation:

The school uses the local agreed R.E syllabus for directing the teaching of R.E. We follow the Discovery R.E. scheme of work, which has been written to deliver the National Curriculum objectives, providing a robust and well-rounded curriculum.   In addition, the scheme supports the school in its statutory responsibility to promote community cohesion and British Values (Education Act, 2006).

The scheme incorporates the following religions:

• Christianity
• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Islam
• Sikhism

There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds, beliefs and values of the children and staff at Wansdyke School.  We value the religious backgrounds of all members of the school and community and encourage children, staff and visitors to share their own experiences with others freely.  All religions are treated with respect and sensitivity. 

We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses engagement with a question relating to the religion, investigation of the subject matter and evaluation of the findings.  Finally, the children are asked to express how the enquiry might have influenced their own starting point or beliefs.

Overviews of learning in R.E. and a series of Knowledge Organiser booklets are being developed to record and structure the learning throughout Key Stage 1 and 2.  Recording of R.E. in the EYFS is through photographic evidence and within a shared class floor book.

Impact:

The children at Wansdyke School enjoy learning about other religions and the reasons why people choose, or not, to follow a religion.  Through their R.E. investigations the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in local, national and global communities.  R.E. acts to bring together others aspects of learning such as social, science and geography.

R.E. allows the children an insight into how other people choose to live their lives and to understand why they live that way.  As such, R.E. is invaluable in our ever changing world.

Collective Worship:

Collective Worship’ is covered both through whole school and class assemblies, providing opportunities for personal reflection and considering our own spirituality alongside developing an understanding of the school values and British Values, as well as a chance to celebrate personal achievements.