Religious Education

Religious Education Subject Leader: Mrs S Burrha

Rosherville Church of England Academy will provide a high-quality Religious education curriculum that recognises and reflects all pupils’ beliefs and practices. Our curriculum is designed to reflect the guidance of the Kent Agreed syllabus.

Intent

At Rosherville, we believe it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire a better understanding of Christianity and other world faiths. Religious Education seeks to make a major contribution to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development of all pupils. It helps pupils acquire a knowledge and understanding of major world religions, an appreciation of ultimate questions and responses to them and develop their own beliefs and values.

We shall help our pupils prepare for their future by:

Developing awareness of the fundamental questions raised by human experiences, and of how religious teachings can relate to them;
Responding to such questions by referring to the teachings and practices of religions and other belief systems, relating them to their own understanding and experience;
Reflecting on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study.

Implementation

RE is taught in accordance with Understanding Christianity (2016). The main focus is mainly on Christianity, whilst taking into account the other principal religions in Great Britain. We deliver the Understanding Christianity with support from the Rochester Diocesan, which includes aspects of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism. In addition, assemblies take place across the whole school and in classes; these are delivered by senior leaders, class teachers and our local vicar.

The key purpose of Understanding Christianity is to support pupils in developing their understanding of Christianity as a contribution to their understanding of the world and their own experience within it. The three themes of Making sense of Text, Understanding the Impact and Making Connections are the underlying pedagogy covered across eight key concepts that are built upon as the children progress from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Upper Key Stage 2. The eight key concepts are God, Creation, Fall, People of God, Incarnation, Gospel, Salvation and Kingdom of God.

Visits to places of worship, and visitors representing different religions provide a variety of first-hand experiences for our children, to spark their interest and relate new learning to their own experiences.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons. This request must be made in writing to the Headteacher. Parents are strongly advised to consult with the school to seek further information on the RE curriculum and the approach to teaching and learning before any decision is made.

Impact

Through their R.E. learning, the children are able

to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world
develop an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life
extend their knowledge and understanding of religions and beliefs
develop a religious vocabulary and interpret religious symbolism in a variety of forms
reflect on questions of meaning, offering their own thoughtful and informed insights

RE in EYFS

In EYFS, pupils start their journey of Religious Education through an induction into world faiths. We spend 50 minutes a week exploring the stories of the New and Old Testament, understanding why Easter is special and visiting a place of Worship.