Religious Education at St Paul’s builds on children’s natural instinct to wonder about faith, belonging and
community, helping them to flourish in their journey to the fullness of life.
Our Vision for Religious Education
Inspired by God’s love for us, we illuminate the goodness in others, we care for and protect His children and reach out to help others flourish in their journey to
the fullness of life.
Religious Education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum of St Paul’s. It is neither a core nor a foundation subject; the 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.
Through our Religious Education curriculum, we aim to engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It is vital to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and
other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain, whilst developing their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
We wish to enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance and to become aware of their own beliefs and values and to have a positive attitude to the search for meaning and purpose in life. Finally, we hope to encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.
Why we do what we do…
Over the past few years, St Paul’s have found like nationally, that there has been a difference in the language skills of children as they enter in Reception. We have also noted a marked difference in the children’s levels of independence, resilience, ambition (skills for life), this along with a need to promote a more deep rooted love of reading, has prompted us to shape our curriculum with greater emphasis in these areas.
We have a rigorous monitoring and auditing cycle in RE, including input from staff, children and Governors which gives a unique insight into how each group views the teaching and implementation of RE. We also use the finding our 5 yearly SIAMS inspection to help inform our planning and development of RE as a
subject.
As a result we are now implementing the new SACRE syllabus, alongside ‘Understanding Christianity’ and developing our enrichment programme to include opportunities for encounters with other faiths.
RE– An Overview:
The world is a rich, diverse and wonderful place. Religious Education helps pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal world religions, and a range of non-religious worldviews, including Humanism. Through exploring beliefs, values and ways of living, pupils grow in their understanding and respect for different religions, worldviews, traditions and cultures. They are encouraged to consider how faith, belief and non-belief influence individuals, communities and societies, and to explore similarities, differences and shared values. Through the use of enquiry, discussion, religious and worldview vocabulary, questioning and empathy, pupils develop the skills to think critically and respectfully about important questions. RE also provides opportunities to reflect, express ideas, apply learning, analyse and evaluate beliefs, values and practices, while communicating their own informed responses to the world around them.
RE provides pupils with the opportunity to consider challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It helps them to understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures and to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs.
Pupils are encouraged to learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues whilst developing their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society. RE also enables pupils to begin to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
RE is taught as part of a termly or half-termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the SACRE Agreed Syllabus and ‘Understanding Christianity’.
Progression is seen in the way children’s understanding of their own faith and others’ gradually expands throughout the school. Our children should leave our school equipped with the skills, knowledge, empathy and understanding that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. SEND: How do we vary our teaching to cater for all learning styles and all needs? RE at St Paul’s is taught in a creative and accessible way. The activities range from practical, thought provoking group discussions to individual opportunities for reflection and response.
Enrichment is an important part of the RE curriculum. There are a range of trips which have been designed with a RE focus. Throughout their time at St. Paul’s, children also have the opportunity to be a part of our Worship Council. Their role is to look at ways to improve our school RE provision and to plan and deliver
worship to the school with the help and mentorship of the church team.
