Religion and beliefs inform our values and are reflected in what we say and how we behave. RE is an important subject in itself, developing an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs which form part of contemporary society. Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate 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. It can develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, of other principal religions, other religious traditions and worldviews that offer answers to questions such as these. RE also contributes to pupils’ personal development and well-being and to community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society. RE can also make important contributions to other parts of the school curriculum such as citizenship, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education), the humanities, education for sustainable development and others. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, deepening the understanding of the significance of religion in the lives of others – individually, communally and cross-culturally.

Intent

  • To develop pupils’ tolerance for others’ religions, life beliefs and viewpoints.
  • To gain knowledge and understanding of the worlds’ religions and their ways of life.
  • To become aware of one’s own beliefs and values.
  • To use discussion in order to support and enhance learning.
  • To use their own experience and background to reflect on questions of truth and morality and deeper meanings of life and death.
  • To celebrate diversity.

 

Implementation

  • Pupils have full access to the Religious Education Curriculum which is differentiated to meet pupils’ learning needs and styles.
  • As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled School teachers use the Oxfordshire Diocese Planning to teach Religious Education
  • Children in Key Stage 1 have a 40 minute RE lesson each week, whilst Key Stage 2 have a 60 minute RE lesson each week.
  • 50% of the Curriculum is Christian based learning and the remaining 50% of the Curriculum explores other faiths and belief

The RE Curriculum offers opportunities for cross-curricular learning, to ensure pupils make significant personal development,        including:

  • modelling and encouraging appropriate speaking and listening skills and encouraging pupils to interact with one another, extend and reflect on their responses;
  • encouraging focused questioning and discussion skills;
  • improving pupils’ reasoning and problem solving skills;
  • learning through drama and role play
  • experiencing other faiths through visits to nearby places of worship, such as The Faith Tour, and visiting speakers from other faiths sharing their experiences and beliefs
  • experiencing a range of religious festivals

 

Quality First Teaching

  • clear learning objectives,
  • modelled and explained activities that promote independent thought that are linked to the learning objectives,
  • observations of progress made and clear feedback given at the point of learning.
  • assessments that are made that inform the planning and subsequent learning.
  • children who need support or challenge are identified and targeted in subsequent lessons

 

Impact

Impact is tracked through:

  • Teacher assessments made using the Oxfordshire Diocese assessment sheets that accompany the medium term planning used
  • Informal assessments made from observations and written work as part of RE lessons

Expected impact is:

  • The vast majority of pupils meet or exceed their expected progress in Religious Education
  • Pupils have a tolerance for others’ religions, life beliefs and viewpoints.
  • Pupils have an understanding of the worlds’ religions and their ways of life.
  • Pupils are becoming aware of their own beliefs and values.
  • The vast majority of pupils leave Fringford well prepared for the next stage of their education

 

Further Information