INTENT
Our intent in the teaching of RE is to:
1) Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that children can:
• identify, describe, explain and analyse beliefs and concepts in the context of living religions, using appropriate Vocabulary,
• explain how and why these beliefs are understood in different ways, by individuals and within communities,
• recognise how and why sources of authority (e.g. texts, teachings, traditions, leaders) are used, expressed and interpreted in different ways, developing skills of interpretation.
2) Understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that children can:
• examine and explain how and why people express their beliefs in diverse ways,
• recognise and account for ways in which people put their beliefs into action in diverse ways, in their everyday lives, within their communities and in the wider world,
• appreciate and appraise the significance of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
3) Make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied, so that children can:
• evaluate, reflect on and enquire into key concepts and questions studied, responding thoughtfully and creatively, giving good reasons for their responses,
• challenge the ideas they study, and consider how these ideas might challenge their own thinking, articulating beliefs, values and commitments clearly in response,
• discern possible connections between the ideas studied and their own ways of understanding the world, expressing their critical responses and personal reflections with increasing clarity and understanding.
At Greenleas, we follow the Central Bedfordshire RE Agreed Syllabus 2018-2023, which supports our teachers to provide an interesting and engaging RE curriculum. This syllabus, and therefore our RE teaching, focuses on depth rather than breadth when learning about religions. Studying the key ideas and belief systems of religions can be challenging and it is therefore important for our pupils to have time to understand concepts fully, rather than learning about a wide range of religions at a surface level.
Teaching and learning:
Our RE curriculum is taught through three elements to the teaching and learning process:
Making sense of beliefs
Understanding the impact
Making connections
RE is taught in a block unit within a term to allow suitable links to be made to specific religious festivals taking place. Through whole class teaching, children will deepen their understanding in a range of religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism. Children gain a deeper understanding of the religion studied through the use of high quality resources/artefacts and are involved in practical, hands-on activities whenever possible.
• handling artefacts
• exploring scared texts
• using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
• responding to images, games, stories, art, music and dance
• meeting visitors from local religious communities
• making visits to religious places of worship where possible, and where not, making use of videos and the internet
• taking part in whole school events- (multi-faith days, Harvest Festival, school performances)
• using ICT to further explore religion and belief globally
• comparing religions and worldviews through discussion
Our RE curriculum provides a clear path of progression, taken from the Central Bedfordshire RE Agreed Syllabus. Teachers know that pupils have achieved the expected outcomes stated in the syllabus through discussions about their learning in lessons and the work produced by the pupils. The impact of the RE curriculum is also sought directly from the children through surveys, video calls and questionnaires and are used to gather the children’s voice.