R.E.

INTENT

At Colerne Church of England Primary School, the aim of Religious Education is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity as well as many other religious and non-religious worldviews represented in Great Britain. We aim to understand the way that religious and non-religious beliefs and values shape our lives and our behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance our spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Religious Education is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy of the school. As a Church of England school, Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE and the teaching of British Values, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children. Strong links are made with our school Vision and Ethos of ‘Being a Light for all to See’ Matthew 5:16 alongside the 12 values that are the bedrock of our Christian Collective Worship using Roots and Fruits.

IMPLEMENTATION

It has been agreed that having taken into account the requirements and guidelines presented in the Agreed Syllabus, the following religions have been selected for study: 

• Christianity – through the Bristol Diocese project ‘Understanding Christianity’

     Through Discovery RE

• Islam
• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism  
   As Christianity is the predominant religion in the school's pupil population and in the community surrounding the school, Christianity is the main faith studied each year with a minimum of 50% of the RE curriculum devoted to it. However, all children will experience at least four other major worldviews across their school career, as well as encountering non-religious beliefs too.
  There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds, and beliefs and values of the children and the staff.  We value the religious or non-religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely.  All worldviews and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community.  We acknowledge that each religion or worldview studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils.  We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both staff and children. 
   
  IMPACT
  The children at Colerne Church of England Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and worldviews and why people choose, or choose not to hold religious or non-religious beliefs. 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. Through R.E. our children are developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life and worship, and their own which they are then able to communicate to the wider community.