Religious Education at Grove Church of England Primary

Revised 2022

LONG TERM PLAN OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Intent

Religious Education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum of Grove CE Primary School. It is neither a core nor a foundation subject; the 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.

RE plays an important role in expressing the Christian vision of the school ‘to let your light shine.’. RE reflects the ethos and values that are held and promotes understanding of people of all faiths and none.

Through our Religious Education Curriculum, we aim to ensure all children ‘let their light shine’ by:

• knowing about and understanding Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical texts.
• gaining knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews being studied.
• engaging with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
• recognising the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places.
• exploring their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways living, believing and thinking.
• providing a curriculum that contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
• enabling pupils to consider and express their own ideas, insights and questions

 Implementation

The Legal Position

Every maintained school in England must provide a basic curriculum (RE, sex education and the National Curriculum). This includes provision for RE for all registered pupils at the school, except for those withdrawn by their parents (see paragraph below).  RE is therefore taught in accordance with the Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus, while also reflecting the requirements of the Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education published by the Education Office of the Church of England in February 2019. The statutory section 48 (SIAMS) inspection will evaluate the way that RE contributes to the Christian character of the school and the teaching of RE will reflect this requirement.

The RE curriculum at Grove CE Primary School, follows the Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus, using both the ODBE scheme of learning and the Understanding Christianity scheme. Christianity is taught in every year group, with key concepts revisited on a spiral curriculum. At least 50% of the time is devoted to Christianity. We have strong links with our local Church in Grove, St John’s, and use these for supporting the teaching of aspects of Christianity.  Other religions are covered according to the syllabus; eg Judaism and Islam in KS1, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam in KS2.

The total time for RE is between 5% and 10%, and it is taught in dedicated lessons as appropriate. The time dedicated to RE is separate from the time given to Collective Worship. In KS1 this will amount to approximately 36 hours per year; in KS2 this rises to 45 hours per year.

RE is taught using an enquiry-based approach, that is challenging and robust. Learning will be organised to encourage the development of attitudes such as self-awareness, respect for all, open-mindedness, appreciation and wonder, as well as providing opportunities to engage appropriately with Fundamental British Values. All faiths are treated respectfully, and opportunities will be made to engage in age-appropriate, meaningful discussion. Where possible pupils will encounter believers and visit places of worship.

A variety of resources, styles, and techniques will be used as appropriate to enable all children to make progress in RE regardless of their starting points, ability or background. Please refer to the school’s policies for:

• Special Educational Needs
• Equalities Policy and Plan
• Valuing All God’s Children (Church of England)

Assessment procedures will follow those of the Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus and be in accordance with other assessment and feedback procedures in the school. Pupils will engage in a variety of activities which will also enable teachers to assess what they have learnt.  Records kept will include information about pupils’ experiences and judgements about their attainment and progress, as well as being used to inform planning. Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.

Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus and in Understanding Christianity, which in turn have been developed in line with national guidance.  Progress in RE is reported annually to parents and has a prominent position in the end of year report. 

Impact

Religious Education at Grove develops pupils’:

• Knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;
• Understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths;
• Understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures;
• Skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
• Skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.

Religious Education at Grove encourages pupils to:

• Consider challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right or wrong and what it means to be human;
• Understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;
• Learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;
• Learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues;
• Develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a global society;
• Develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Religious Education at Grove enhances pupils’:

• Awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
• Ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses;
• Ability to personally reflect and develop their spirituality.

Our RE Curriculum

We follow Discovery RE for our Religious Education curriculum. Please find each year's syllabus below.