RE
Intent
At Great Kimble we provide a rich RE curriculum where children are educated to become confident, happy and successful learners within a caring Christian community. Our Christian Values: Respect, Thankfulness, Endurance, Forgiveness, Love and Hope are embedded in all aspects of our curriculum.
Together with our Ethos and School Vision they help to provide an environment that encourages our children to play a positive role in contributing to school life and the wider community, now and throughout their lives.
We believe our RE curriculum inspires and engages children in real-life learning opportunities, fostering a Love of learning in RE and equipping them with the skills to be respectful and understanding of other faiths.
We seek to use our teaching of RE to create 'theologists' so that our children:
Show an outstanding level of religious understanding and knowledge
Ask significant and highly reflective questions, giving personal reflections on meaning and purpose
Have a strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together
Break down any preconceptions about a wide variety of faiths and the people who follow them
Implementation
Our Religious Education curriculum is carefully designed to ensure progression, coherence, and relevance throughout a pupil's primary education. In studying RE, pupils experience a variety of approaches to their learning, including:
Presentation by the teacher to include story telling
Discussion and debates
Individual and group investigations
Role play and simulations
The use of artefacts
Use of a wide range of written resources
It is planned and sequenced to develop deep, lasting learning and builds upon prior knowledge, which our children can use today, tomorrow and for the rest of their lives. It incorporates a balance between the study of religions and the exploration of themes which are common to various faiths and beliefs.
At Great Kimble we follow the 2023 ODBE syllabus to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements set by the Department for Education.
In EYFS RE is woven through the whole curriculum and units are also explicitly taught using the ODBE syllabus.
In KS1 and KS2 RE is taught through weekly 1 hour lessons.
Our curriculum includes the study of five major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.
The curriculum also encompasses non-religious beliefs, ethics, and moral values.
Lessons are sequenced to build upon prior knowledge and promote deepening understanding.
Opportunities are provided for pupils to engage in dialogue, discussions, and critical thinking about religious and ethical issues.
Lessons will be recorded either through floor books in EYFS and RE books in KS1 and KS2.
Pupil voice will be visible throughout and the sequence of our work will be evident.
RE is assessed through mind maps which identify prior knowledge at the beginning of the unit and then these are revisited at the end for children to add new knowledge and skills.
Impact
The children will understand that everyone lives by a belief system that influences the way they behave. That these beliefs can and often do change over time. They will be able to share their own ideas and beliefs respectfully and ask questions about what others believe. They will understand the importance of knowing the beliefs someone holds as a way of understanding who they are and what motivates them. They will see how this will help them to show proper respect for others in our community and the wider world. Pupils will be able to identify what is similar and different about people’s beliefs and see that even within a religion, or ideology, there are many variations as well as similarities. The pupils will understand the influences of religion and other world views upon our culture, society and the wider world. They will develop a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own and towards living in a society of diverse religions and world views.
Our Religious Education provision at Great Kimble C of E School has several tangible impacts on our pupils:
Pupils have a thorough understanding of a range of religious beliefs and non-religious viewpoints.
Pupils develop a sense of empathy, tolerance, respect, and a keen appreciation for diversity.
Pupils acquire critical thinking skills, enabling them to analyse religious and ethical issues objectively.
Pupils demonstrate high levels of engagement and enthusiasm for learning in Religious Education lessons.
Pupils gain a greater understanding of their own identities and the importance of their personal values.
Pupils are well-prepared to contribute positively to the wider community, respecting the beliefs and values of others.
Through our Religious Education provision, we ensure that each pupil leaves Great Kimble C of E School as a responsible globally aware citizen, equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to live harmoniously.
RE at Great Kimble
