RE

Intent

At Bishop Ridley Church of England Primary School, Religious Education plays an important role in enabling us to live out our Christian vision: ‘One Community, Learning and Growing Together, Sharing the Love of God.’

Our RE curriculum aims to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, as well as a range of other religions and worldviews. We want children to develop a secure understanding of religious beliefs, practices and traditions, while learning to recognise both the diversity within and between different faiths and communities.

As a Church of England school, we place particular importance on developing pupils’ understanding of Christianity as a living and diverse faith. Through the study of the Bible, Christian beliefs and the ways in which Christians live out their faith, pupils are encouraged to explore key theological concepts and make connections between belief and practice.

Our curriculum also provides meaningful opportunities for pupils to encounter and learn about other major religions and worldviews. Through this, we aim to develop curiosity, respect and understanding, preparing children to live positively alongside people with beliefs and perspectives that may be different from their own.

We want our pupils to become thoughtful and reflective learners who are confident to ask big questions about faith, meaning, purpose and the world around them. RE provides a safe and respectful environment in which children can explore different responses to these questions, express their own ideas and listen carefully to the views of others.

Implementation

RE is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum which progressively develops pupils’ substantive knowledge of religions and worldviews alongside the disciplinary skills needed to explore them.

Christianity is studied throughout the school, enabling pupils to build an increasingly sophisticated understanding of key Christian concepts, biblical texts and beliefs. Children are encouraged to make connections between different areas of their learning and to consider how beliefs influence the ways in which Christians live.

Pupils also study a range of other religions and worldviews, including Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Humanism. Teachers revisit important vocabulary, concepts and prior learning so that pupils can make meaningful connections and develop secure long-term knowledge.

Our teaching encourages pupils to:

explore religious texts, stories, artefacts, places and practices;
question ideas and consider different interpretations and viewpoints;
explain religious beliefs using increasingly precise vocabulary;
make connections between beliefs, practices and ways of living;
compare different perspectives thoughtfully and respectfully;
reflect on questions of meaning, belief, identity and belonging.

Teachers use questioning and discussion to deepen thinking, rather than simply seeking factual responses. Pupils are encouraged to explain their reasoning, justify their ideas and respond to the views of others. Opportunities for talk and oracy enable all pupils to engage with challenging concepts before recording their understanding.

Where appropriate, learning is enriched through visits, visitors, artefacts, art, music and encounters with members and places of different faith communities. Our close relationship with Bishop Ridley Church further supports pupils in understanding Christianity as a lived faith.

Assessment is woven throughout teaching. Teachers use pupils’ responses, discussions and recorded work to identify what children know and understand, address misconceptions and plan appropriate next steps. Assessment focuses not simply on the amount pupils can remember, but on the depth of their understanding and their ability to make connections within and between areas of learning.

Impact

Through our RE curriculum, pupils develop a secure and increasingly sophisticated knowledge of Christianity and the other religions and worldviews they study. They are able to recall important knowledge, use appropriate religious vocabulary and make connections between beliefs, texts, practices and ways of living.

As pupils progress through Bishop Ridley, they become increasingly confident in discussing challenging questions and explaining their thinking. They understand that people may interpret religious ideas differently and can discuss similarities and differences without making simplistic assumptions about individuals or communities.

Pupils learn to listen respectfully, challenge ideas appropriately and recognise that thoughtful disagreement is an important part of learning. They develop the confidence to express their own ideas while recognising that others may hold different beliefs and perspectives.

The impact of RE extends beyond individual lessons. It contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and supports them in becoming compassionate, curious and respectful members of society.

Ultimately, our RE curriculum enables pupils to leave Bishop Ridley with the knowledge and understanding they need to engage thoughtfully with questions of faith and belief and to play their part in ‘One Community, Learning and Growing Together, Sharing the Love of God.’