R.E

R.E at St John’s

INTENT

SELF – At this school we want children to recognise and develop their own beliefs. We want them to grow in their understanding of what is important to them and why. We want them to learn more about the Christian ethos of our school. We work with pupils to develop their voice and collaborate on their learning.

OTHERS – We are proactive in exposing our pupils to people from a range of religious and non-religious communities and teach them about religious beliefs from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism.

WIDER WORLD – Pupils at St John’s are taught that religion is a subject that impacts local, national and international communities. Our aim is to prepare them to be accepting of people from different religious and non-religious backgrounds and become a respectful member of their community.

IMPLEMENTATION

Religious Education focuses on enabling pupils to understand people’s religious beliefs and practices. We believe that a range of practical approaches is required in order for them to engage with the teachings, traditions and festivals of the Christian year as well as developing their understanding of the beliefs of other major religions. Teaching is undertaken in a variety of ways;

• through story; engaging pupils with teaching and key characters
• though art and craft; pupils are encouraged to respond creatively
• through drama; pupils are helped to experience the lives of others through role play
• through discussion, debate and circle time
• through visitors and visits; firsthand experience

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM PLANNING
In school, the curriculum is based on the Diocesan Syllabus for Religious Education for the Dioceses of Leeds and York.

The principle aims of this are:

• To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage.
• To enable pupils to know and understand about other major world religions and non-religious worldviews, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights.
• To contribute to the development of pupils’ own spiritual/philosophical convictions, exploring and enriching their own beliefs and values.

Religious Education is a core subject at St John’s CE Primary School and is taught every week. We work to ensure that the pupil’s learning meets the requirements of the Church of England’s statement of entitlement.

FOUNDATION STAGE
We encourage the religious and spiritual development of our pupils in Reception class as an integral part of their
work. As Reception class is part of the EYFS, we relate the religious development of the pupils to the objectives set
out in both the Diocesan syllabus and the non-statutory guidance found in the Development Matters document for
September 2021. In addition to this, elements of Religious
Education are assessed in the summer term against the Early Learning Goal ‘People, Culture and Communities.’ We
encourage the pupils to think about Christianity and a range of religious beliefs to develop their knowledge and
understanding of the world by helping them to gain understanding and attach value to their own and other people’s beliefs and culture.

KEY STAGE ONE AND KEY STAGE TWO

At Key Stage 1, teaching and learning is focused around Christianity and Islam, alongside understanding of nonreligious approaches to life. At Key Stage 2, teaching and learning is extended to include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism, alongside understanding of non-religious approaches to life.
We carry out curriculum planning in Religious Education in two phases (long-term and medium-term/ short-term).
The long-term plan maps out the topics to be covered over the 2 year cycle (KS2) or 3 year cycle (KS1). The Schemes of Work are medium term plans and where appropriate lesson plans differentiated by year group. In
this way they meet the needs of all the learners in both Key Stages. The Schemes of Work are written by the R.E.
Coordinator and teaching staff in school. The Schemes of Work are based on the Understanding Christianity
resources suggested by the Diocesan scheme of work and the thematic and world religion units in the Diocesan
syllabus. 

Parents wishing to do so, can exercise their right to withdraw their children from Religious Education under section 237 (2) of the 1988 Education Act. If parents are considering such a decision, they are asked to consult with the Head Teacher.

Action Research Project to explore the new requirements for RE in the EYFS framework 2021 can be found here:

R.E

R.E at St John’s

INTENT

SELF – At this school we want children to recognise and develop their own beliefs. We want them to grow in their understanding of what is important to them and why. We want them to learn more about the Christian ethos of our school. We work with pupils to develop their voice and collaborate on their learning.

OTHERS – We are proactive in exposing our pupils to people from a range of religious and non-religious communities and teach them about religious beliefs from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism.

WIDER WORLD – Pupils at St John’s are taught that religion is a subject that impacts local, national and international communities. Our aim is to prepare them to be accepting of people from different religious and non-religious backgrounds and become a respectful member of their community.

IMPLEMENTATION

Religious Education focuses on enabling pupils to understand people’s religious beliefs and practices. We believe that a range of practical approaches is required in order for them to engage with the teachings, traditions and festivals of the Christian year as well as developing their understanding of the beliefs of other major religions. Teaching is undertaken in a variety of ways;

• through story; engaging pupils with teaching and key characters
• though art and craft; pupils are encouraged to respond creatively
• through drama; pupils are helped to experience the lives of others through role play
• through discussion, debate and circle time
• through visitors and visits; firsthand experience

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM PLANNING
In school, the curriculum is based on the Diocesan Syllabus for Religious Education for the Dioceses of Leeds and York.

The principle aims of this are:

• To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage.
• To enable pupils to know and understand about other major world religions and non-religious worldviews, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights.
• To contribute to the development of pupils’ own spiritual/philosophical convictions, exploring and enriching their own beliefs and values.

Religious Education is a core subject at St John’s CE Primary School and is taught every week. We work to ensure that the pupil’s learning meets the requirements of the Church of England’s statement of entitlement.

FOUNDATION STAGE
We encourage the religious and spiritual development of our pupils in Reception class as an integral part of their
work. As Reception class is part of the EYFS, we relate the religious development of the pupils to the objectives set
out in both the Diocesan syllabus and the non-statutory guidance found in the Development Matters document for
September 2021. In addition to this, elements of Religious
Education are assessed in the summer term against the Early Learning Goal ‘People, Culture and Communities.’ We
encourage the pupils to think about Christianity and a range of religious beliefs to develop their knowledge and
understanding of the world by helping them to gain understanding and attach value to their own and other people’s beliefs and culture.

KEY STAGE ONE AND KEY STAGE TWO

At Key Stage 1, teaching and learning is focused around Christianity and Islam, alongside understanding of nonreligious approaches to life. At Key Stage 2, teaching and learning is extended to include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism, alongside understanding of non-religious approaches to life.
We carry out curriculum planning in Religious Education in two phases (long-term and medium-term/ short-term).
The long-term plan maps out the topics to be covered over the 2 year cycle (KS2) or 3 year cycle (KS1). The Schemes of Work are medium term plans and where appropriate lesson plans differentiated by year group. In
this way they meet the needs of all the learners in both Key Stages. The Schemes of Work are written by the R.E.
Coordinator and teaching staff in school. The Schemes of Work are based on the Understanding Christianity
resources suggested by the Diocesan scheme of work and the thematic and world religion units in the Diocesan
syllabus. 

Parents wishing to do so, can exercise their right to withdraw their children from Religious Education under section 237 (2) of the 1988 Education Act. If parents are considering such a decision, they are asked to consult with the Head Teacher.

Action Research Project to explore the new requirements for RE in the EYFS framework 2021 can be found here: