Religious Education (RE)

Quotes that guide us:

‘No colour, no religion, no nationality should come between us, we are all children of God,’ Mother Teresa. 

‘RE is like an iceberg. As you unpack ideas, you come to understand deeper meaning.’ Anon

Why is it important to teach RE? (Intent)

Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory subject in the state education system in England, despite it not being part of the National Curriculum. Schools are required to teach a programme of religious studies according to local and national guidelines. As well as being an obligation, we believe much can be gained from RE lessons

Learning about religion and learning from religion are important for all pupils, as Religious Education (RE) helps pupils develop an understanding of themselves and others. RE promotes the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of individuals and of groups and communities. Good teaching of RE will inspire in pupils a curiosity, fascination and understanding about the values, beliefs and traditions of people around the world – including themselves. The teaching and understanding of respecting diversity is at the core of British Values and is delivered throughout our RE curriculum.

Key Concepts:

•         Development of pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, and religious traditions.
•         Encouragement of pupils to explore their own beliefs (whether they are religious or non-religious), in the light of what they learn, as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and how these impact on personal, institutional and social ethics; and to express their responses.
•         To enable pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging, which helps them flourish within their communities and as citizens in a diverse society.
•         Teaches pupils to develop respect for others, including people with different faiths and beliefs, and helps to challenge prejudice.
•         To prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society. It encourages empathy, generosity and compassion.

Curriculum Design (Implementation)

Our Trust RE curriculum is based on the Plymouth Agreed Syllabus 2020 – 2024 and will be adapted and amended to follow the new Plymouth Agreed Syllabus 2024-2009 throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. It follows a four-year rolling programme to allow for appropriate provision for mixed age classes. The religions studied in KS2 include Christianity, Hinduism, Islam Judaism, along with world views such as humanism. In KS1 the religions covered include Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

What we do well as a Trust (Impact)

It is clear to us as a Trust that religious education is not religious instruction. The “material” of religious education stands separately as an object for study and exploration and, as such, the personal beliefs of the pupils and teachers are “irrelevant”. It is every pupil’s entitlement to have access to the key concepts underpinning religions and beliefs whether they are of that tradition or not.