Religious Education

RE - Our Intent

To introduce children to various religions, beliefs, and worldviews, fostering an understanding of different cultures and perspectives with a respectful attitude.

Knowledge Facts

The answers to all of our ‘Big Questions’ form our Forever Facts. This is the knowledge that we think our children need to remember in future years, well beyond when they have left their year group and when they have left Fourlanesend C P School. We have ‘sticky knowledge’ in all lessons, quizzing the children about past weeks, past topics and even past years learning.

Implementation

All lessons are planned using NATRE (which stands for the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education), a subject association for teachers of Religious Education (RE) that supports RE professionals and advocates for the subject at a national level
Weekly Religious Education lessons are implemented using ‘NATRE’ materials and teaching model and the 2014 Cornwall Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.
Developing skills of reading and interpretation; understanding how Christians and other principle religions interpret, handle and use sacred texts; making sense of the meanings of texts through drama and storytelling.
Examining ways in which Christians and other principle religions respond to sacred texts and teachings, and how they put their beliefs into action in diverse ways within their community and in the world
Evaluating, reflecting on and connecting the texts and concepts studied, and discerning possible connections between these and pupils’ own lives and ways of understanding the world.
Time is dedicated for daily acts of collective worship.
We use our ‘sticky knowledge’ at the start of topic and R.E lessons to develop the children’s long-term memory on specific R.E knowledge facts.

Strategies for supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in RE lessons:

Opportunities

Speaking and listening can be incredibly beneficial in Religious Education (RE) for primary-aged children. Here are some ways it is integrated to our RE lessons:

Class Discussions: We encourage children to discuss religious stories, beliefs, and practices. This helps them articulate their thoughts and listen to different perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for diverse beliefs.
Role-Playing: Children role-play scenarios from religious texts or act out religious ceremonies. This not only makes learning more engaging but also helps children practice speaking and listening in a structured context.
Debates: By organising debates on moral and ethical issues related to religious teachings, it encourages critical thinking and helps children learn to construct and present arguments, as well as listen and respond to others respectfully.
Storytelling: By children retelling religious stories in their own words, it enhances their comprehension and speaking skills while making the learning process more interactive and enjoyable.
Reflective Discussions: After a lesson, children have reflective discussions where they share what they learned and how it relates to their own experiences. This helps them connect personally with the material and practice articulating their thoughts.

Impact

Religious Education lessons enhance pupils’ awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs. Pupils discuss and reflect on the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. Daily acts of collective worship provide opportunities for our school community to reflect together on the rich tapestry of human experience and existence. This helps develop tolerance and respect for diversity. By exploring different beliefs and moral values, children learn to think critically and reflect on their own views, values, and beliefs. They begin to consider the reasons behind certain practices and understand the role religion plays in shaping societies.

Assessment

Every RE lesson has a question as its title. By the end of unit, children are expected at the very least to remember facts that will enable them to answer these questions. NATRE also provided end of unit assessment, which are used by teachers to assess the understanding gained throughout the unit.

In addition to these assessments, pupils at Fourlanesend have regular quizzes whereby the teacher will present a knowledge fact quiz based on subjects that they have previously covered. This ensures that children can still remember the facts they learned in previous year groups.