Religious Education
Ambition
Our aim is for all children to experience the awe and wonder of different faiths and religions. Our approach enables children to understand both key similarities and differences between religions, as well as how people implement these beliefs into their everyday lives. Through this teaching approach, children learn to demonstrate a deep-rooted tolerance and respect for others.
Implementation
Our RE curriculum develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of a wide range of religions, religious traditions and secular world views, and explores their responses to life’s challenges. Curriculum structure follows the Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus for RE. This enables year groups to explore Christianity throughout their time at primary school, and also, from Y2 upwards, understand and contrast their growing knowledge of religion with another world religion. Children have the opportunity to explore artefacts associated with the religion and explore their places of worship. These opportunities and experiences create memories that promote positive engagement with each religion as they progress through school.
Whilst learning about each religion’s key content, discussions about religion develop progressively year on year as our curriculum includes progressive skills centred on tolerance, citizenship, constructive comparisons and communication for each year group. In doing so, we hope to develop understanding, welcoming children who take interest in other people’s beliefs.
Coverage is as follows:
Year One – Christianity
Children explore the Christian way of life through investigating ways of worship, important places, people and things, and Christian symbols.
Year Two – Judaism
Whilst reflecting on their own personal beliefs and lifestyles, children learn about the fundamental beliefs and ways of life for people who follow the Jewish faith.
Year Three – Islam
Children explore the Islamic faith through artefacts, places of worship and religious stories. Children are encouraged to reflect on their own personal opinions and faith.
Year Four – Sikhism
Children explore the Sikh faith looking at local, national and international examples, reflecting on their own personal opinions and faith.
Year Five – Hinduism
Children in Year Five learn about Hindu celebrations, beliefs, and ways of life, whilst reflecting on their own personal beliefs. They also have the opportunity to explore similarities and differences within and between other religions.
Year Six – Buddhism and Humanism
In Year Six, children learn about the fundamental Buddhist values, whilst exploring diversity, similarities and differences within and between religions, and humanism.
Impact
As we share with our children the understanding of a breadth of religions and belief systems, we communicate consistently that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and that it is important to welcome and celebrate differences and be tolerant of each other.
Pineham Barns children leave primary school ready for the rest of their education with an open mind, an awareness and positive appreciation of society’s diversity, and the potential to make a positive contribution to modern Britain and British society as they mature.