RE

We are made for goodness. 

We are made for love. 

We are made for friendliness. 

We are made for togetherness. 

We are made for all the beautiful things that you and I know. 

We are made to tell the world that there are no outsiders. 

All are welcome. 

(from ‘God has a dream’ Archbishop Desmond Tutu.) 

RE and Worldviews is an important subject for everybody, not just because of its significance in current world affairs, but because it links so strongly into many other fields - music, art, history, politics, social and cultural issues, global economics – the list is endless.   

 It is our intention at St John’s to make full provision for the cultural development of our pupils including their ability to recognise and value the things we share in common across cultural, religious, ethnic and socio-economic communities.  We aim to improve our pupils’ understanding and respect for different world faiths and in particular provide a clear and comprehensive coverage of Christianity. 

 We aspire to teach RE lessons that are academically rigorous, well-researched and resourced and encourage pupils to explore religions through a variety of lenses – historical,  philosophical and theological. 

As the children study each religion we offer them opportunities to be reflective about their own beliefs (religious or otherwise), and we consider that in an increasingly confusing, fast-paced  world laced with misinformation and fake news, we need to equip and support our pupils to examine information thoughtfully and critically.   Analysing evidence, respect for others, questioning, curiosity and empathy (the RE attitudes and skills set) are explicitly taught and incorporated into our curriculum. 

Planning 

RE is planned and taught through Understanding Christianity resource (http://www.understandingchristianity.org.uk), supplemented with resources from the Locally Agreed Syllabus -  Awareness, Mystery and Value 22.     

The Understanding Christianity materials were commissioned by the Church of England to offer a detailed, coherent and systematic approach to teaching Christianity and ‘the Big Story of the Bible’.   Our RE curriculum also covers the other main religions represented in Britain today: Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.   

Teaching and Learning 

Long term planning is sequenced so that key concepts are embedded and built upon as pupils progress through the school.  Lessons and activities are designed to ensure all children are supported in their learning, and challenge is built in to extend pupils who can ‘dig deeper’ into a topic.  We aim to make the learning experience varied and enjoyable with a variety of teaching approaches that allow the children to engage actively and express themselves creatively: 

• Visits and visitors. 
• Use of virtual tours and online teaching resources 
• Sharing of religious artefacts which are used to support learning, stimulate curiosity and open a discussion about respect, sensitivity and reverence when handling ‘sacred/special’ objects. 
• Cross-curricular lessons. 
• Good use is made of drama and ‘acting out’.  
• High quality texts reflecting cultural and religious diversity, including illustrated and child-friendly versions of the Bible. 
• Church Days – visits to local places of worship – often with a ‘themed’ or enquiry-led approach. 
• We have close links with St John’s Church 
• Stilling, reflection and Godly Play sessions. 
• Simulation Games 

Celebrating Diwali in Owls Class

Whatever their own worldview, pupils enjoy RE because it engages them with questions and issues that matter to them.  Children have an innate sense of justice and are always ready to respond to activities on social justice or respect for our planet.

It is our hope that children will leave St John’s with a good knowledge of the four main world faiths (Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam) represented in Britain today and also an understanding of other religions and non-religious worldviews.

They will have an appreciation of ‘lived’ faiths, and the prejudice and struggles that believers have encountered in the past and continue to encounter in today’s society.  Through a variety of teaching methods and opportunities for personal reflection we hope that our children will be able to admire people of faith, be equipped to defend religious and racial freedom and inspired to explore and deepen their own values, worldviews and spirituality.      

Assessment 

Children’s progress is assessed formatively by teachers.  Each unit of work is introduced with a clear statement of learning and evaluation is through quizzes, questions and tasks to ensure that key learning is embedded and misconceptions diagnosed and addressed.  This approach to assessment measures how well pupils have understood and retained factual ‘substantive’ RE knowledge.  

The RE Subject Lead is developing a book of exemplars of RE work from across the school to include photographs of displays, trips, pupil feedback, classroom activities and written work (including letters, poems and prayers).  Video recordings of plays, drama, oracy projects and trips are also kept as evidence of learning and personal development. 

RE is reported through the annual report to parents and through information given at regular parents’ meetings as appropriate. 

RE Subject Lead liaises with Foundation Governors to review teaching and learning of RE