RE
Intent
At Harbour children explore a range of religions and wider world views. Through excellent RE provision the school is a beacon shining a light out on to the wider world for the children to create their own path to a meaningful and happy life: to have a sense of self, identity and belonging; and to flourish within the community and be responsible citizens.
As successful learners in RE pupils:
- Develop a deep knowledge and understanding of key religious concepts;
- Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs;
- Develop the ability to contribute positively to the global society;
- Cultivate an understanding and respect for others and themselves;
- Value what religions have in common, and those features that present diversity;
- Ask searching and reflective questions;
- And develop personal resilience to support themselves in challenging times.
Implementation
Three key elements form the basis of our teaching and learning approach:
- Making sense of belief – knowledge of faiths, vocabulary, concepts, sources of authority, sacred texts, special people
- Making connections – evaluating, reflecting, questioning, developing personal responses
- Understanding impact – examine the impact of faith, recognise the diversity of people putting faith into action, appraise the significance of different ways of life
The agreed syllabus requires that all pupils develop an understanding of Christianity in each key stage. In addition, across the age range pupils will develop of the principal religions represented in the UK, in line with legal requirement.
At Harbour, we will be focussing on Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Hinduism. However, non-religious world views will be a focus of study in thematic units. They are represented by the term Non-Religious (NR) on our curriculum framework.
- The school sets out a framework of units for each year group. There are 41 units in total.
- Pupils are taught RE for one hour each week.
- Planning is in line with The Agreed Syllabus for RE in East Sussex – Faith and Belief in the 21st Century.
- Support materials are available for all thematic units. These are RE Today resources that give valuable subject knowledge and broader curriculum links.
- Units of work are supported by additional resources – library books, artefacts and links with local faith groups
- Teachers are encouraged to use the broader curriculum to support specific learning but also to give opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth
- At Harbour RE is seen as a cross-curricular vehicle with opportunities to explore connection with art, history and geography. Connections made through PSHE allow pupils to explore possible impact in their own life.
- RE is different from assembly/collective worship. Though opportunities are taken to use collective worship to support our key messages in RE these times are not incorporated in the curriculum allocation to RE teaching.
Children in Early Years and Foundation Stage encounter religious and non-religious world views through special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship. They listen to and talk about stories. Children are introduced to subject-specific words and use all their senses to explore beliefs, practices and forms of expression. They ask questions and reflect on their own feelings and experiences. They use imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation of, and wonder at, the world they live in. They begin to explore their own pathway in the world.
In line with the DfE’s EYFS profile pupils experience RE through purposeful play and a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.
Impact
By the time children leave our school they will:
- Will be able to describe their RE experiences in school and in lessons
- Have an understanding and knowledge of the religions studied, including key vocabulary
- Ask and offer possible answers to challenging questions about the meaning of life, beliefs, nature of reality and morality
- Have the ability to ask reflective questions about religion and world views
- Have a sense of self, identity and belonging to flourish within the community and be responsible citizens
- Show respect, tolerance and understanding of all religions and beliefs – children will have a stronger awareness of the world around them and will be mindful of the beliefs of others
- Have the ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose
- Gain confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections and have a desire to become lifelong learners.
