St Matthew's "Differences were made not to divide but to enrich." - J.H. Oldham
Religious Education
Why should we learn about RE?
Learning about other religions and cultures is an integral part of our children’s education at St Matthew's. We are fortunate to belong to a school community that welcomes children and families from many different and diverse cultures and backgrounds, and we believe that learning about each other’s faiths and traditions - the connections between these faiths and their impact on the wider society - is the foundation of our RE curriculum.
At St Matthew's we believe RE is at the centre of our ethos and it makes a strong contribution to the education of each child by encouraging them to develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, as well as developing empathy, sensitivity and understanding through positive, discussion based learning. Children’s critical thinking skills will develop, their motivation to learn increased, and their knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with people and their beliefs (religious or otherwise) will be enhanced.
*Please note that parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE lessons.
How will it help children in later life?
Children are taught respect and tolerance as an imperative prerequisite to learning RE because of our varied demographic of children. This is reflected through the outstanding behaviour of the children in our school, their positive relationships with one another, their attitudes towards differences, and the responsibility they willingly undertake to support their peers - and the example they set to younger children.
We enable children to deepen or realise their own beliefs, and respect the freedom of other people to hold beliefs different from their own. Our children are cared for and nurtured spiritually, morally, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally…. a school with high expectations for all and where all are valued as individuals.
What do we want for St Matthew's children?
St Matthew's is positioned within a diverse community in Bradford. Through our Religious Education curriculum we aim to respect the faiths and beliefs of our community and widen our pupil's understanding of an perspectives on key world religions and beliefs alongside humanism and non-religious beliefs.
Our aim is to:
- Develop children’s understanding of the world and its people
- Develop children’s understanding of others’ beliefs
- Develop understanding, respect, and tolerance for others’ beliefs
- Widen our pupil’s understanding of and perspectives on key world religions and beliefs alongside humanism and non-religious beliefs
At St Matthew's, we strive to enhance community cohesion and promote tolerance and understanding of others. We teach children to recognise and value commonality across cultural, religious, ethnic, and socio-economic communities and to understand, accept, respect, and celebrate diversity.
Links to our PSHE Curriculum and SMSC
Our Religious Education curriculum is supported by our PSHE curriculum where children develop a sense of self and others within the concept of community and are encouraged and taught how to understand and respect others' points of view and actions.
Spiritual development of pupils includes developing their:
- ability to reflect upon their beliefs be it religious or non-religious
- perspective on life.
- knowledge, of and respect for different people's faiths, beliefs (religious or otherwise), feelings and values
Moral development of pupils includes developing their:
- ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and apply this understanding in their own lives, recognise legal boundaries and, in so doing, respect the civil and criminal law of England
- understanding of the consequences of their behaviour and actions
Social development of pupils includes developing their:
- use a range of social skills in different contexts, for example, working and socialising with other pupils, including those from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- willingness to participate in a variety of communities and social settings, including by volunteering, co-operating well with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively
- acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law; individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs; they develop and demonstrate skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain
Cultural development of pupils includes developing their:
- ability to recognise and value commonality across culture, religion, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- interest in exploring, improving understanding of and showing respect for different faiths and cultural diversity and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate diversity. This is shown by their respect and attitudes towards different religious, ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national and global communities.
Intent
At St. Matthew’s we aim to offer a high-quality R.E education which will explore the important roles that religious and non-religious worldviews play in all human life. R.E should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know and learn about world beliefs and beliefs in their community. Teaching should equip pupils to investigate beliefs and practices, address questions of meaning, purpose and values and investigate how religions and other worldviews influence morality, identity and diversity. R.E helps pupils to understand the diversity of people’s beliefs, the world they live in, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity.
Implementation
Our R.E units of work are aligned with Bradford Agreed syllabus expectations; it is planned and delivered in a systemic and progressive way. The units of work promote curiosity, questioning and an understanding of the faiths of Christianity and Islam in KS1 and introducing Judaism and Sikhism in KS2 alongside developing an understanding non-religious approaches to life. Along with the Bradford syllabus, we also use some units of work from the ‘Understanding Christianity’ documents. The units we focus on are Incarnation and Salvation.
R.E at St Matthew’s is taught discreetly on a weekly basis. By the end of each unit of work, teachers assess the pupils' understanding through suggested assessments at the end of each unit. Pupils are also assessed in each lesson against the Learning Objective. Pupils are made aware of the Big Question for the unit and this is referred to in weekly R.E lessons.
How do we deliver this effectively?
At St Matthew's, we value and recognise the uniqueness and background of every child. Thus, our RE curriculum covers a range of cultural, historical and ethical backgrounds and offers purposeful and meaningful experiences where pupils can share, develop and apply this knowledge. Our diverse, culturally rich, wide-scoping and rigorous/coherent curriculum is underpinned by the teaching of religious knowledge, concepts, skills and values in a rigorous and coherent way. It includes explicit links to storytelling to ensure children are engaged and enthuse learners.
Our curriculum meets the requirements of the National Curriculum for Religious Education and ensures our children are well-versed in their knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs which form part of contemporary society. Children will be able to independently reflect upon their own beliefs and values, use their own experience and background to reflect on questions of truth and morality and deeper meanings of life and death as well as asking questions and exploring the answer.
What does this look like?
EYFS
In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the teaching of Religious Education makes substantial contribution to pupil’s achievement of the Early Learning Goals by utilising different approaches such as:
- role play, drama and stories
- interacting with religious artefacts, symbols and other objects.
- creating displays for key religious festivals
- songs, singing and music.
- visits to places of worship
- creative arts
- discussing, listening and articulating their feelings
- listening to visitors
- providing opportunities for reflection
Impact
Our R.E curriculum enables pupils to make connections, revise, recap previous religious knowledge and build upon the knowledge they already have, through the progression visible throughout the school from Reception to Year Six.
Each unit of work inspires curiosity, promotes questioning the world we live in and develop an understanding and mutual respect amongst the diverse people in our world.
Inclusion
Adaptive teaching is key to delivering an effective and inclusive curriculum. All pupils' starting points are considered and activities and work is matched to ensure pupils reach their full potential, whilst supporting the child's learning. Adult support, a range of activities, adaptations, equipment and resources can enable children of all abilities to access learning.
Our school will ensure that:
- all children have entitlement to a broad and balanced, enriching curriculum
- all children enjoy an active involvement in Religious Education
- all children have opportunities to experience a broad and balanced range of RE activities
- all children have opportunities to learn about RE from different times and cultures
- all children will be given equal access to the experience of RE regardless of their gender, race, disability, medical or other needs
- teachers use a variety of approaches that are matched to the activity and the ability of the children
Research
Research frames our thinking in what we teach and how we deliver it to our children to ensure teaching and learning has maximum impact.
Please see references to the research linked above:
Religious Education in Schools: Non-Statutory Guidance 2010
Religious Education Curriculum MapRE - Recommended Reads
If you want to learn more about Religions and World Views, why not try our recommended reads by following the links below...
