“Religious Education provokes challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God,

issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.”  – NATRE 

 

Our Vision for Religious Education

At our school, Religious Education enables children to explore big questions about life, belief, values and belonging. Guided by the NATRE Curriculum Framework, we aim to develop religiously literate, thoughtful and respectful learners who can reflect on their own beliefs while understanding and appreciating the beliefs of others. 

Through RE, pupils are encouraged to: 

  • Develop knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews 

  • Ask meaningful questions and think critically 

  • Show respect, empathy and curiosity about diversity 

  • Reflect on how beliefs and values influence individuals and communities 

RE supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development and prepares them for life in a diverse modern Britain. 

It is a legal requirement that RE reflects the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are mainly Christian, while also taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.

Curriculum

Our RE curriculum is carefully sequenced and progressive, ensuring pupils build on prior knowledge as they move through the school.

Teaching approaches include: 

  • Discussion and debate 

  • Storytelling and interpretation of sacred texts 

  • Use of artefacts, images and video 

  • Visits, visitors and experiential learning 

  • Quiet reflection and written responses 

Frequency 

RE is taught weekly (or blocked where appropriate) in accordance with statutory requirements. 

 

A child secure in RE will have:

  • An outstanding level of religious understanding and knowledge.
  •  A thorough engagement with a range of ultimate questions about the meaning and significance of existence.
  • The ability to ask significant and highly reflective questions about religion and demonstrate an excellent understanding of issues related to the nature, truth and value of religion.
  • A strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together.
  • Exceptional independence; the ability to think for themselves and take the initiative in, for example, asking questions, carrying out investigations, evaluating ideas and working constructively with others.
  • Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity, which are shown in their responses to their learning in RE.
  • The ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose.
  • A wide knowledge and deep understanding across a wide range of religions and beliefs 

 

Enrichment Opportunities

RE is enriched through meaningful experiences that bring learning to life, including: 

  • Visits to places of worship  

  • Visitors from local faith communities 

  • Theme days and festivals  

  • Whole-school assemblies linked to beliefs and values 

  • Cross-curricular links with art, history and PSHE 

These opportunities help pupils develop first-hand understanding and deepen respect for others.  

 

Supporting Learning at Home

Parents and carers can support RE learning by: 

  • Talking about beliefs, values and celebrations within their own family 

  • Encouraging curiosity and respectful questioning 

  • Sharing books and stories from different cultures and faiths 

Useful websites: 

  • BBC Bitesize – Religious Studies 
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z7hs34j 

 

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and/or collective worship.