Religious Education
Intent
Through Religious Education, we aim to develop children in being philosophical learners and thinkers and build awareness of the cultures and diversities. Children will be compassionate learners and link their knowledge and understanding in their topic work to the values of religion. Children will learn about the range of religions and be able to explain, describe and analyse the beliefs and practices of different faiths. Teaching at Helmsley School will allow children to gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religion and world views. They will be able to question and discuss the meaning behind belonging, purpose, expression and faith with diverse understanding and empathetic views.
Our intent for our children is to have:
- A good level of religious understanding and knowledge.
- An engagement with a range of ultimate questions about the meaning and significance of existence.
- The ability to ask significant and reflective questions about religion and demonstrate an excellent understanding of issues related to the nature, truth and value of religion.
- A strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together.
- The ability to think for ourselves and take the initiative in, for example, asking questions, carrying out investigations, evaluating ideas and working constructively with others.
- The ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose.
- A good knowledge and understanding across a wide range of religions and beliefs.
Implementation
- Teachers at Helmsley will follow the planning mapped by NYCC which progresses throughout their academic journey in Discovering (EYFS), Exploring (KS1) and Connecting (KS2).
- Children will cover 3 units a year with a ‘Big Question’ overarching the topic about to be covered. Each big question will be linked to either believing, expressing or living.
- Children will have ‘Festival days’ where the whole school join to celebrate an event, linked to different religions. These being Diwali, Nativity/Hannukah, Easter/Passover and Ramadan/Eid.
- Our RE curriculum is mapped out on a 2-year plan to ensure all children access each big question. Sessions are taught weekly.
- Children in Reception will encounter Christianity and be exposed to other faiths through exploring different festivals alongside learning about themselves, their communities, and people within it.
- Children in KS1 will learn about Christians, Muslims and Jewish people.
- Children in KS2 will learn about Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Jewish people.
Religious Education Scheme of Learning
