R.E
To foster religious and social tolerance, we follow the Essex-agreed RE syllabus from the Saffron Academy Trust. Our curriculum encourages children to ask reflective questions about religion and develop the skills to explore answers thoughtfully. We have carefully selected themes relevant to our students' communities, ensuring meaningful and inspiring learning experiences. By deepening their knowledge, we equip children with the key skills to become tolerant individuals and develop a balanced perspective on the wider world.
Our curriculum fosters religious and social tolerance by developing children's understanding of beliefs, practices, and values through the following key areas:
Understanding Beliefs and Teachings
Children will explore personal experiences, Christianity, and other religions to develop an understanding of key religious teachings. They will engage with selected artefacts, real objects, photos, holy books, and religious items to deepen their knowledge of different faiths.
Understanding Practices and Lifestyles
Children will learn how beliefs, values, and practices shape religious lifestyles. They will gain insight into the daily lives and traditions of various faiths, fostering awareness and appreciation of different cultures.
Understanding How Beliefs Are Conveyed
Children will explore how religious beliefs are expressed through books, scriptures, readings, and other forms of communication, enhancing their understanding of different faiths.
Reflection
Children will develop the ability to ask meaningful questions about religion and reflect on its significance. They will connect their studies to personal reflections on meaning and purpose while appreciating the role of religion in people's lives.
Understanding Values
By exploring different religious and moral values, children will build tolerance and an appreciation of how values shape people's lives.
Communication
We have carefully selected vocabulary to support children's understanding of religious tolerance and societal values. This vocabulary is essential for deepening their knowledge and is integrated into RE lessons to enhance learning.
RE Teaching
Reception:
Children will engage in discussion-based RE sessions focused on the Early Learning Goal for ‘People, Culture, and Community’ within topics like People Who Help Us and Festivals. These discussions, documented on Tapestry, will also include key festivals relevant to the children's interests and class diversity.
Key Stage 1:
We follow a two-year cycle to ensure full curriculum coverage. Each week, teachers deliver a focused RE assembly, followed by class discussions or activities. Each half-term is structured as follows:
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The first half focuses on personal experiences and Christianity.
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The second half introduces at least one other religion for comparison and broader understanding, with a focus on Islam, as it is prominent in our community.
Approach Across Reception and KS1
Religious education is explored through three key lenses:
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Theology – Understanding religious beliefs.
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Philosophy – Exploring big questions about meaning.
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Human & Social Sciences – Examining the impact of religion on people and society.
Each enquiry is guided by a big question, which children will answer by the end of the unit.
