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Religious Education
Intent
At Valley Invicta Primary School at Leybourne Chase we aim to develop knowledge and understanding of the major world faiths. We intend to address, investigate, and reflect on the fundamental questions in life. We intend to provide our pupils with knowledge of Christianity and other world religions. Furthermore, we also strive to include and celebrate the main faiths of children within our school.
Our carefully planned and balanced RE curriculum allows our children to develop their understanding whilst providing them with new experiences. We want our children to become independent and responsible members of society. Children are supported to be engage and think rigorously and creatively to make informed judgements; they come to understand that it is acceptable to have doubts and to disagree in a reasoned and sensitive way. In the process they will develop an aptitude for dialogue so that they can skilfully participate in discussions and develop their skills to be able to examine and reflect on a range of questions about spirituality, identify, morality, values, and commitments. We want our pupils to know that religious education discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice, therefore preparing them to be thoughtful members of our diverse and multicultural society.
Implementation
RE is taught through discrete lessons. The topics and vocabulary have been organised and sequenced logically to allow new knowledge to build on prior learning.
By following Discovery RE at Valley Invicta Primary School at Leybourne Chase, we intend that Religious Education will:
- Adopt an enquiry-based approach as recommended by Ofsted, beginning with the children’s own life experience before moving into learning about and from religion.
- Provoke challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs, the self and issues of right and wrong, commitment and belonging.
- It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions and religious traditions that examine these questions, fostering personal reflection and spiritual development.
- Encourage pupils to explore their own beliefs (religious or non-religious), in the light of what they learn, as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and how these impact on personal, institutional and social ethics; and to express their responses.
- Enable pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging, which helps them flourish and helps to challenge prejudice.
- Prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society.
- It encourages empathy, generosity and compassion.
- Develop a sense of awe, wonder and mystery.
- Nurture children’s own spiritual development.
Discovery RE brings together learning about and from religion, questioning and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred learning styles and the need for differentiation. Each enquiry starts from the children’s own life experiences, using these as a bridge into the investigation of the religion being studied.
Learning is assessed and children have opportunity to express their own thoughts and beliefs and empathise with believers of that religion or belief position.
External contributors
RE gives particular opportunities to promote an ethos of respect for others, challenges stereotypes and build understanding of other cultures and beliefs. This contributes to promoting a positive and inclusive school ethos that champions democratic values and human rights. The British Values agenda is intrinsic to Discovery RE, and a map of coverage is available on request.
External contributors from the community, e.g. local clergy, local members/speakers from other religions etc make a valuable contribution to the RE programme as do visits to places of worship. Their input is carefully planned and monitored to fit into and compliment the programme.
Teachers are always present during these sessions and remain responsible for the effective delivery of the RE programme.
The Learning Environment
Establishing a safe, open and positive learning environment based on trusting relationships between all members of the class, adults and children alike, is vital. To enable this, it is important that respect for each other's views and beliefs and those of the believers of that religion is encouraged at all times and that any artefacts are handled with respect and care.
Impact
The impact of this curriculum design will lead to excellent progress over time across key stages relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Children will therefore be expected to leave Valley Invicta Primary School at Leybourne Chase, reaching at least age-related expectations for RE. Our RE curriculum will also lead pupils to be enthusiastic RE learners, evidenced in a range of ways, including pupil voice and their work.
Additional Information
Discovery RE - Information for Parents/Carers
