Religious Education

Intent

Curriculum design, coverage and appropriateness

Through the use of the NYCC Agreed RE Syllabus, our children are provided with a Religious Education curriculum designed to teach pupils to:

Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• Describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity that exists within and between communities and among individuals.
• Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed by, and responses offered through, some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews.
• Appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.

Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• Explain their ideas thoughtfully and reasonably about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities.
• Express, with increasing discernment, their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and values, including ethical issues.
• Appreciate and appraise the varied dimensions of religion.

Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• Find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively.
• Enquire into what enables individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all.
• Articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own lives and in the lives of others.

Curriculum delivery 

Teaching (pedagogy) 

Assessment (formative and summative)  

Religious Education is taught as a discrete subject and provides opportunities for children to comment, question and explore the viewpoints and ideas of others.

Religious Education is delivered through practical, hands-on activities, discussion, high-quality resources, debate, educational visits and visitors.

Learning outcomes are recorded through a range of evidence, including photographs, discussions and written work.

Teachers assess for learning throughout lessons dealing with misconceptions as they occur. At the need of every lesson, teachers record the pupils' understanding to inform future teaching. At the end of every term, professional judgements are recorded to track pupil progress and report to wider stakeholders including parents. 

Impact

Attainment and progress (including national tests and assessments)

Across our schools, children enjoy learning about different religions and worldviews and exploring why people choose, or choose not, to follow a religion. Through their RE learning, children make meaningful links between their own lives and those of others, both within their community and in the wider world.

Religious Education provides valuable opportunities for cross-curricular learning, with children making connections to subjects such as PSHE, Geography and Science. Through RE, our children develop an understanding of different cultures, beliefs and ways of life, which they are able to communicate respectfully to others.

RE enables children to understand how and why people choose to live in different ways. As such, it plays a vital role in preparing them to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.