Bourne Primary School

In line with the East Sussex agreed syllabus (2017) we believe that R.E enhances ‘pupil’s knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, concepts, teachings and practices.’  We aim to develop pupil’s knowledge and understanding of religion and worldviews through visitors, specialist artefacts, purposeful creative tasks, stimulating questions and discussions in a safe environment.  Throughout their time at Bourne, pupils are exposed to principal religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and the traditions associated with these faiths.  Children are encouraged to examine the meaning and purpose of life, moral issues and beliefs about God, as well as to be comfortable with ideas of awe and wonder.

Our R.E teaching helps pupils develop their own sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually amongst their peers whilst developing respect and sensitivity to others whose faiths and beliefs differ from their own. R.E teaching at Bourne promotes mutual respect and tolerance within our diverse community.  Meaningful links are made with relevant PSHE learning, ultimately promoting children to become responsible citizens who foster fundamental British values.

Implementation

At Bourne Religion and Worldviews education is taught within a spiral curriculum. Progression of key concepts is vital and is achieved through a coherent curriculum designed for pupils to revisit with increasing sophistication.  The annual nature of religious celebrations lends itself to natural revisitation of cultural traditions, and seeks to demonstrate value and importance within the whole school community.

All pupil have access to high-quality teaching across the key stages.  Multiple strategies are implemented to ensure learning is focused and meaningful.  Teachers are able to use religious leaders within the local community as a source of subject knowledge and they play a significant role in supporting RE during organised visits, whole school assemblies and festivals.

The use of discrete questioning requires children to repeat and recall RE -specific information, whilst also offering some of their own ideas and thoughts.  Pupils are taught knowledge at an age-appropriate level, understanding is built up over time so connections can be made and a rich complex depth of understanding is acquired.

At Bourne, we strive to reflect the pupil community by sharing diverse family experiences of faith, beliefs and traditions. We aim to hold a multicultural day in which children or parents can bring things in such as artefacts, food, clothing or photographs to share with the year group.

Impact

Children’s attainment in R.E is ascertained through targeted questioning. Children are encouraged to show what they know through discussion and debate as well as written or pictorial recording methods. Staff are requested to keep photographic evidence that demonstrates children’s progression through the key skills and subject knowledge of the agreed syllabus.

Subject knowledge organisers for each year group provide a baseline for termly coverage of key skills, content and vocabulary. They also indicate what children have already learnt and what the next steps will be.

Teacher’s formative assessment of R.E throughout the year serves to deepen pupils’ understanding and inform teachers’ next steps for planning.

Learning outcomes should test specific subject knowledge and skills related to the subject matter in hand. However they should also provide pupils the opportunity to interrogate the subject matter and reflect on ‘big ideas’, ultimately being able to offer informed conclusions of their own.