Religious Education & World Views

Intent

Our R.E curriculum aims to ensure that our learners develop as tolerant young people who demonstrate a great respect and understanding of the views of others, including the beliefs and practices of religions and other world views. At Goldfield we want to recognise and celebrate the diversity of religious and worldviews in Great Britain, including those views represented in the religious make up of our school and community.

We encourage our pupils to explore the world around them, building on their own experience, to recognise and explore the diversity which exists within and between religious traditions.

We aim to make R.E lessons engaging, fun, creative and thought-provoking, challenging all children to aim high.

Implementation

EYFS

In the EYFS, RE is covered through both child-initiated activities and specific planned activities. Christianity is predominately covered, alongside other cultures and faiths represented in the school. Sessions are carefully planned considering the knowledge, skills and vocabulary the children need to learn. We also ensure they link with and support the content the children will cover in Key Stage 1. RE is also considered in EYFS when teachers plan their termly topics e.g. ‘Lets Celebrate’. Finally, RE also takes part in the EYFS in unplanned, child-initiated opportunities and every day routines.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, we use the Jigsaw Scheme We have carefully mapped it against the Herts Agreed Syllabus to ensure what is outlined in there, is met by this scheme.

The units and lessons are carefully sequenced so that previous conceptual knowledge is returned to and built upon. Children progress by developing and deepening their knowledge and understanding of substantive and disciplinary concepts by experiencing them in a range of contexts. Children begin to develop their awareness of religion and worldviews in Key Stage 1, focusing on conceptual knowledge through the study of a limited range of religions and worldviews represented in the UK, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

All year groups

  • Lessons in both EYFS and KS1 are designed to be varied, engaging and hands-on, allowing children to learn and record their thoughts, answers and ideas in various ways.

  • We have eight key concepts areas that we focus on: beliefs & practices, prayer, worship & reflection, symbols & actions, identity & belonging, sources of wisdom, ultimate questions, justice & fairness and human responsibility & values. Within each key concept area, specific concepts are covered progressively as children move through the year groups

  • Planning is carefully done and adaptive teaching is considered so all pupils can access lessons, and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required.

  • We have knowledge organisers in Key Stage 1 to support pupils, summarising the key concepts and knowledge covered in a unit  

  • In line with the Herts Agreed Syllabus, our RE curriculum focuses on other religions including Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

Whole School Events

All children take part in additional special days or assemblies throughout the year which cover a variety of religious and cultural festivals, such as Diwali and Eid. We aim for at least three events a year, in which the children may work in mixed ability year groups to learn about other faiths and cultural festivals in fun, engaging and practical ways.

Our curriculum design allows for cross-curricular links and involvement with parents or other members of the community.   We also aim to visit at least one place of worship each year. Children participate in collective worship unless parents specifically ask for them to be withdrawn.

Impact

The impact of the RE curriculum is constantly monitored through assessment opportunities including:

  • Pre and end of term assessments in KS1 including end of unit quizzes and knowledge catchers

  • End of term assessments in Reception with particular reference to ‘Understanding the World’

  • Subject Leader monitoring – learning walks, book looks and lesson observations

  • Staff meetings to discuss curriculum and children’s learning

  • Pupil voice – surveys, questionnaires

  • Teacher voice – staff meetings, INSETS

At Goldfield Infants’ & Nursery School we envisage the curriculum impacting the children in the following ways. They will:

  • Know and understand religious concepts relating to beliefs & practices, prayer, worship & reflection, symbols & actions, identity & belonging, sources of wisdom, ultimate questions, justice & fairness and human responsibility & values. 

  • Develop an understanding of the influence of organised and personal worldviews on individuals, communities, countries and globally.

  • Understand some of the ways religions and worldviews are studied (disciplinary knowledge).

  • Develop understanding of their relationship with the content studied, being able to talk about their assumptions and preconceptions (personal knowledge).

  • Build secure vocabulary which allows them to talk confidently and fluently about their learning.

  • Answer questions about worldviews through an enquiry-based approach including investigating, interpreting, evaluating, applying and expressing.

  • Talk about the similarities and differences between their own and others beliefs with respect and open mindedness.

  • Understand the lived experiences of religious and non-religious worldviews to be diverse within and between people and communities.

  • Develop an understanding of the ways in which personal and organised worldviews may develop and change across time and place.