We use the Guildford Diocesan Guidelines for Religious Education as the foundations of our curriculum. Within the context of the entire school curriculum, 5%-10% of time is dedicated to explicitly studying RE objectives in each year group.
We implement an enquiry model of learning, which helps pupils to deepen their understanding in RE and make secure connections as well as utilising higher-level thinking skills. Our enquiry planning in RE follows the format Engage/ Enquire & Explore/ Evaluate/ Express. This format:
- starts by engaging the pupils in their learning
- they are given opportunities to explore, wonder, respond, make links with their personal experiences, and build upon previous learning
- allows pupils time to gather information and draw conclusions before asking them to reflect and apply their learning
- enables pupils to reconsider and extend their initial thinking as they begin to see new levels of possibility
- allows pupils to use and express their creativity and imagination.
Our Religious Education curriculum is enhanced further with trips to places of worship in our local area and visits to the school by experts who support the learning experience. In addition, we have a close relationship with locally-based charity, Wintershall Education, which hosts high quality learning days and performances including ‘The Life of Christ’.
Experiences and enrichment opportunities include:
- handling artefacts
- exploring sacred texts and critically engaging with texts
- using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
- responding to images, games, stories, art, music and dance
- fostering close links with our local St Mary’s Church community
- making visits to religious places of worship
- taking part in school events- (Black History Month, Harvest Festival, school performances at Christmas and Easter, Remembrance Service at the memorial locally)
- participating in moments of quiet reflection using prayer stations and reflection areas (especially during dedicated Pause Days)
- participating in Open the Book assemblies, Class Reflection times,
- comparing religions and world views through discussion.
Our Religious Education Curriculum is well thought-out and is planned to demonstrate progression. Teachers assess against success criteria learning about and from religion by capturing pupil discussions about their learning, reflecting on standards achieved against the planned outcomes and celebrating learning as a project using the mediums of art, dance or drama. Our Religious Education Lead monitors the teaching, learning and progression of RE each term.
We also use tools provided by the Diocese of Guildford to assist with progression, including a Ladder of Progression and a table outlining the end of phase expectations with skills.