R.E

Aims

Religious education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum of Moss Lane. It is neither a core nor a foundation subject; the 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered children’.

Through our Religious Education curriculum we aim:

To engage children in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
To provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain.
To develop their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
To enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance.
To encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.

Intent

At Moss Lane School, we believe that it is important for all our children to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. We follow the Surrey Agreed Syllabus for RE. We want our children to enjoy RE and develop resilient responses to misunderstandings, stereotyping and division. At Moss Lane we intend to enable pupils to: • demonstrate an appreciation of the nature of religion and belief and the important contribution of religious and spiritual insights and values to the individual’s search for meaning in life, whilst acknowledging that this may also come from a non-religious perspective

• develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity, and of the other principal religions and beliefs represented in Great Britain, both through their history and their contemporary diverse expressions

• develop interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion & beliefs and enhance their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

• develop the ability to make reasoned, informed and creative responses to religious and moral issues

• recognise the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on the individual, on culture and on communities throughout the world

Implementation

The national curriculum states the legal requirement that: ‘Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based, and which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, and prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.’ In addition, it states that ‘All state schools... must teach religious education... All schools must publish their curriculum by subject and academic year online.’

Religious Education should be provided for all registered children except those withdrawn at the request of their parents.  Parents have the right to request that their child be excused from all or part of the RE provided at school.
The syllabus should reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.  The Surrey agreed syllabus sets no time allocation for Early Years’ pupils, but schools will need to ensure that the statutory units of work are given appropriate coverage. In order for pupils to make good progress in RE at KS1, the foundations of the core concepts need to be established in the early years.
We ensure that we comply with the legal requirements by following the Surrey Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education for 36 hours per year in Key Stage 1.
Religious Education is generally taught on a weekly basis, but is sometimes delivered through a class topic or as a whole-school RE day. Teachers may develop their own key questions linked to the themes in the syllabus, allowing links with other subject areas where appropriate.
Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.
Children’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Surrey Agreed Syllabus, which in turn have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally.
We track individual child’s progress in this way, whilst also bearing in mind that the statements do not cover all aspects of teaching and learning in RE. For example, child’s personal views and ideas are not subject to formal assessment, and yet are central to good RE.
Progress in RE is reported annually to parents and has a prominent position in the end of year report.
We are also extremely lucky that members of the local churches, regularly visit our school to carry out Open Book assemblies.

Impact

The children at Moss Lane enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. 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, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing and shrinking world. Religious Education at Moss Lane develops children’s:

• knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;

• understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths

; • understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures; • skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;

• skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.

Religious Education at Moss Lane encourages children to:

• understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;

• learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;

• develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society;

• develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Religious Education at Moss Lane enhances children’s:

awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.