Intent

At Willaston Academy, we believe that pupils should be equipped with the knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews which enable them to develop their own ideas, values and identities. This will allow pupils to participate positively in our society with its diverse religions and secular world views.   

By the end of key stage two, the pupils should be able to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while also respecting the right of others to have different views and opinions.

Implementation

At Willaston Primary Academy, RE is taught to all age groups mainly through weekly lessons to ensure we meet the expected time allocation and the curriculum coverage it needs to fully explore the subject.  We use the ‘Discovery RE’ Scheme as a main resource, which is supplemented with other resources to provide first hand experiences for the children.  Discovery RE advocates an enquiry based approach with a 4 step process. Step 1 – Engagement, Step 2 – Investigation, Step 3 – Evaluation and Step 4 – Expression. There is a key question for each topic then lessons work through the 4 step process.

The curriculum has been developed to cover a range of religions which are revisited with learning building year on year.  By the end of key stage 2, pupils will devise their own questions and decide where they might look for answers. Enquiry based learning requires students to draw on existing knowledge and to identify their required learning needs. Tasks stimulate curiosity in the students, encouraging them to actively explore and seek out new evidence. Pupils will have the opportunity to visit places of worship and meet people from different religions. This should provide opportunities for independent learning, debates and the use of technology.

Impact

Our RE curriculum ensures pupils are exposed to a diverse range of religions that:

• Teaches pupils to have a better understanding of the religions that make up the UK landscape and how they can work from and alongside each other to create a cohesive community.
• Promotes inquisitive minds, respect, tolerance and understanding for all those around them including themselves.
• Enables high quality work to be produced and evidenced, showcasing a deep understanding of the main religions of the world, their community and their future.
• Creates evidence that will be seen through using the correct vocabulary, explanations and respectful opinions, as well as cross curricular evidence, for example, religious and cultural art work, drama, craft and presentations.
• Makes important contributions to other parts of the school curriculum such as citizenship, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education).
• Helps pupils create a life-long learning for exploring religious beliefs and understanding how it can help them in their future
• Develop their abilities to articulate and communicate ideas, options and feelings about their own religion and that of others.
• Develop essential skills such as self-confidence, collaboration, and self-reflection.
• Achieve well in R.E. which is reflected through a consistent learning journey and clear progress.

• Create lasting memories from a range of religious experiences