Religious Education

INTENT

At Woodlands Primary, we believe that it is important for all our pupils, including year 6, those with SEND and vulnerable children, 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 and so prepare them for the next stage of their learning journey. 

Religious Education is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy of the school, in particular our Respect value.

RE plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly RSHE, in promoting social awareness and understanding in our children. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens.

Our carefully adapted curriculum is designed to encourage creativity, imagination, enquiry, debate, discussion and independence. It builds on prior learning and is sequenced so that pupils know and can do what is needed to reach those end points.

IMPLEMENTATION

We use the Wirral SACRE Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage RE is mainly taught through celebrations.

The following religions have been selected for study:  

• Christianity – to be taught in all year groups

• Hinduism – EYFS, KS1

• Islam – light touch in KS1 and then in depth in KS2

• Judaism – KS2

• Buddhism – KS2

• Sikhism – KS2

Humanism is also studied in KS2, as another World View.

We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community.  We are extremely lucky to have members of various faiths visiting our school to share their beliefs with us, as well as being able to visit local places of worship.

We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils. We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both staff and children. 

IMPACT

The children at Woodlands Primary enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. RE is an opportunity for children to develop their own personal beliefs and make reference to them. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life.