Religious Education
Curriculum Intent for RE
As a Church school, we believe that Religious Education has a significant role for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development at Beckley. It promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs and encourages pupils to grow as successful learners, confident individuals and caring citizens. We will support them as they develop their sense of identity and belonging through self-awareness and reflection,
The principle aim of RE is to engage pupils in an enquiry approach where they can develop an understanding and appreciation for the expression of beliefs, cultural practices and influence of principle religions and worldviews in the local, national and wider global community.
At Beckley CE Primary School, it is our intent that Religious Education promotes an enquiry-based approach through the implementation of the East Sussex Agreed Syllabus for RE from Key Stage One and Two and can be used to contribute to the learning experiences of the early learning goals within the Foundation Stage.
Our balanced RE curriculum aims to help develop religiously literate pupils who have knowledge and understanding of the following disciplines:
- Theology (this is about believing): looking at where beliefs come from – how they have changed over time, how they are applied differently in different contexts and how they relate to each other;
- Philosophy (this is about thinking): finding out how and whether things make sense; dealing with questions of morality and ethics; taking seriously the nature of reality, knowledge and existence;
- Social Sciences (this is about living): exploring the diverse ways in which people practise their beliefs; engaging with the impact of beliefs on individuals, communities and societies.
Our intent is to create a safe and stimulating environment in which children are entitled to question, evaluate and express themselves through debate and discussion – “disagree agreeably”. We will also develop and equip teachers who are empowered through strong subject knowledge to have the skills to challenge conceptions, preconceptions and misconceptions.
Much of our approach to the teaching of RE is linked closely to creating experiences and enrichment opportunities at Beckley, including:
- handling artefacts
- exploring scared texts
- using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
- responding to images, games, stories, art, music and dance
- meeting visitors from local religious communities
- making visits to religious places of worship where possible, and where not, making use of videos and the internet
- taking part in whole school events- ( faith days, Harvest Festival, school performances)
- participating in moments of quiet reflection
- participating in whole school worship
- using ICT to further explore religion and belief globally
- comparing religions and worldviews through discussion
- debating and communicating religious belief, worldviews and philosophical ideas and answering and asking ultimate questions posed by these