Intent
At Stretton Handley CE (VC) Primary School, our RE curriculum follows the Derbyshire Agreed Syllabus document and this is further supported by ‘Understanding Christianity’. It is knowledge rich and ensures that key theological concepts and vocabulary are reinforced in meaningful contexts. This is achieved through first-hand experiences and our authentic outcomes. Concepts are deliberately constructed so our children’s religious knowledge is built upon each year. This allows the children to understand their personal and wider beliefs and the wider faiths that fit within cultures around the world. Children will learn this through the Derbyshire Framework, which will allow them to comprehend their culture and the wider diversity of society.
Implementation
The teaching of RE seeks both to impart knowledge and develop understanding of religious experiences, feelings and attitudes through a variety of teaching and learning approaches. RE teaching draws on a wide range of key strategies for learning, including:
- Open questioning
- Thinking skills
- Literacy for RE
- Discussion
- Expressive arts and creativity for learning
- Visits and visitors
- Practical approaches
The teaching of RE will involve some direct teaching and whole class, group, paired or individual activities. A range of teaching styles will be used including enquiry, exploration, discussion, role play, drama, asking and answering questions, using a range of sources including ICT, works of art, artefacts, visits and visitors. Across the whole curriculum we strive for ‘quality first teaching’, including in RE. Differentiation is used appropriately in order to ensure that children of all abilities, including less able, those with special needs and more- able or those with gifts or talents make good progress and enjoy RE.
Alongside this syllabus, we also uses the compatible Understanding Christianity scheme of work. As a Church of England school we have a specific focus on Christianity which comes into Collective Worship every day and our RE lessons. Use of this resource has raised standards and sets high expectations for learning in RE. The Understanding Christianity resource covers eight core concepts at the heart of mainstream Christian belief. Their building blocks set out clear progression from EYFS to KS3. The core concepts are:
GOD CREATION FALL PEOPLE OF GOD INCARNATION GOSPEL SALVATION KINGDOM OF GOD
Impact
We will know our RE curriculum has been effective, as children at Stretton Handley CE Primary School will:
- Ask and offer possible answers to challenging questions about the meaning of life, beliefs, nature of reality and morality.
- Have a secure understanding and knowledge of the religions studied and be confident to answer ultimate questions.
- Have the ability to ask significant and reflective questions about religion and demonstrate a good understanding of issues relating to the nature, truth and value of religion.
- Have a sense of self, identity and belonging to flourish within the community and be responsible citizens.
- Show respect, tolerance and understanding of all religions and beliefs.
- Have a strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion come together.
- Have the ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose.
- Have the ability to exemplify the School’s Christian values in all aspects of life that are rooted in the teachings of the Bible.
Derbyshire and Derby City Agreed Syllabus 2020-2025
Reception and KS1- RE Long Term Plan