Religious Education
RE
“Religion is the clearest telescope through which we can behold the beauty of creation.” - William Scott Downey.
Introduction
RE at Redby Academy contributes positively to social cohesion. RE encourages deep thought and personal reflection on big questions; it can foster an understanding of diversity and promote respectful attitudes as they grow into adulthood.
Although RE is not part of the National Curriculum, it is compulsory for all primary schools to teach RE throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The RE curriculum that is taught in schools is decided upon by the local authority’s SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) and is known as an ‘Agreed Syllabus.’ At Redby Academy, we follow “Sunderland Agreed Syllabus for RE 2021-2026” which provides an outline of the key concepts to be studied in RE across the Key Stages.
Intent
At Redby Academy, we develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of major world religions and non-religious views, as well as addressing the fundamental questions in life. These topics and questions are informed by the Sunderland Agreed Syllabus for RE (2021-2026). The principle aim of this RE curriculum is to provide is an environment where pupils can explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live. Pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.
The aims of Religious Education are to:
- Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs.
- Understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs.
Make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied
Cultural Capital
RE helps to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. RE gives opportunities for pupils to listen to others, hear and analyse conflicting viewpoints and develop empathy and respect.
Implementation
RE is taught in a biweekly topic block each half term, following a school wide curriculum map (devised in conjunction with the Sunderland Agreed Syllabus 2021-2026) providing opportunities to celebrate festivals and explore religious and non-religious views with greater relevance and consistency. Work is recorded in RE/PHSE books, in the class journal or on the school website and is evidenced in a variety of ways.
The Sunderland Agreed Syllabus (2021-2026) is devised to reflect the demographics of religion and belief in Sunderland, the region of Tyne and Wear and the nation (statistics taken from the 2021 census). The curriculum readies pupils for the wider world enabling them to live well amongst the global community. The religions taught as part of the Primary Education (EY, KS1 and KS2) section of the new Sunderland Agreed Syllabus are:
- Christianity
- Islam
- Judaism
- Hinduism
- Non-religious worldviews
While Sikhism and Buddhism are taught in Key Stage Three (Secondary School) alongside other religions and non-religious concepts.
Redby Academy’s Religious Education ethos is to:
• Be open and objective, it does not seek to urge religious beliefs on young people, nor compromise the integrity of their own religious position by promoting one tradition over another.
• Endeavour to promote a positive attitude toward people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own.
• Promote the values and attitudes necessary for citizenship in a multi-faith and multiracial society through developing understanding of, respect for, and dialogue with people of different beliefs, practices, races and cultures both in a religious and non-religious contexts.
• Recognise and celebrate the range of cultures and diversity of the school through workshops, assemblies and shared experiences with people from the local community.
Impact
At Redby, we seek to ensure that all pupils are educated to develop academically, emotionally and morally to enable them to better understand themselves and others and to cope with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of living in a rapidly changing, multicultural world. Regular assemblies and bi-weekly RE lessons help to celebrate the diversity and promote positive images of people in the wider community, including their beliefs, traditions, culture, language and history.
RE education is important at Redby, as it creates opportunities for pupils to develop their skills of discussion, interpretation and analysis of topics in a coherent way. It provides an excellent opportunity for pupils to understand British heritage and values whilst developing respectful social, cultural, philosophical and historical awareness. Therefore, Redby’s curriculum to reflect the demographics of religion and belief in Sunderland, the region of Tyne and Wear and the nation (statistics taken from the 2021 census). The curriculum readies pupils for the wider world enabling them to live well amongst the global community. The curriculum is built upon three key elements to ensure all children receive a broad, balanced RE education based upon an enquiry approach.
The three elements are:
1. Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that they can:
Identify and make sense of core religious and non-religious beliefs and concepts; understand what the beliefs mean within their traditions; recognise how and why sources of authority (such as texts) are used, expressed and interpreted in different ways, and develop skills of interpretation.
2. Understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that they can:
Evaluate, reflect on and connect the beliefs and practices studied; pupils to challenge ideas studied, and the ideas studied to challenge pupils’ thinking; discerning possible connections between these and pupils’ own lives and ways of understanding the world.
3. Make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied, so that they can:
Examine how and why people put their beliefs into action in diverse ways, within their everyday lives, within their communities and in the wider world.
EYFS
Children in EYFS encounter religious and non-religious worldviews through special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship. They listen to and talk about stories. Children are introduced to subject-specific words and use all their senses to explore beliefs, practices and forms of expression. They ask questions and reflect on their own feelings and experiences. They use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation of, and wonder at, the world in which they live. These opportunities help children foster an understanding of diversity and promote respectful attitudes as they grow into adulthood. There is a special focus on Christianity during the Autumn Term as the children focus upon the Nativity Story and create a Christmas production as a cohort. RE is a compulsory part of the basic curriculum for all Reception-age pupils, and is taught according to the Sunderland Agreed Syllabus for RE 2021-2026.
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Curriculum Plans & Policies
SEND
We aim to create a learning environment that is inclusive and accessible for all pupils. Lessons will be taught in a way that is educational, sensitive yet enjoyable and teachers will remain inclusive and meet the needs all children. This is achieved by creating a space that feels safe and will encourage all children to explore their emotions and ask questions through carefully and appropriately planned lessons.
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