Intent

At Edgebury our intent for RE, which aligns with our school values, is to challenge children to become inquisitive, resilient, respectful, and accepting individuals who are able to express and articulate their own ideas and insights about the diverse world that we live in. We ensure that children are given the opportunity to become the very best individuals they can be in order to contribute to our school, our community and the wider world in a creative and positive way.

We believe that it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Implementation

RE is taught in a half termly topic blocks.  In Key Stage 1, work is recorded in class floor books. In Key Stage 2, work is recorded in books and can be evidenced through a variety of outcomes, including written pieces, drama, artwork and photos.

We deliver RE in line with the Locally Agreed Bromley Syllabus, using the Discovery RE programme as our scheme of work. Discovery RE brings together learning about and from religion, questioning and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Each enquiry starts from the children’s own life experiences using these as a bridge into the investigation of the religion being studied.

Teachers are eager to ensure children are making progress with their learning throughout their RE. Therefore, each enquiry has built-in assessment.  This task is the formal opportunity for teacher assessment of the children’s knowledge of that religion, depth of critical thinking, and ability to answer the enquiry question. Children have the opportunity to express their own thoughts and beliefs and empathise with believers of that religion or belief position.

Discovery RE covers all areas of RE for the primary phase, Christianity plus at least one other religion is taught in each year group.  The grid below shows specific enquiries for each year group.

Foundation Stage 1/2:

Year 1:

Year 2:

Year 3:

Year 4:

Year 5:

Year 6:

Impact

Through our RE curriculum, children will have a broad and balanced understanding and awareness of the world around them. Children will acknowledge the diversity, religions and beliefs of their local community, and know their own value in adding to this. Children will be confident in discussing philosophical questions and know how to be respectful as a listener. They will be sensitive to the views and beliefs of others, and know that religious education has an impact on the future evolution of society. They will know that they are in a community where their own thoughts, views and beliefs are valued and are safe to be shared.

Our children leave school with a strong sense of belonging, with the confidence and skills to make decisions, to self-evaluate, and to continue to ask important questions.