Elveden C of E Primary Academy
RE Curriculum Statement
Religious Education
‘Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions (and worldviews) and for the religious freedom of each person.’
INTENT
Religious Education at Elveden C of E Primary Academy aims to develop children’s understanding about the world’s religions and cultures. Our aim is to provide children with engaging and unforgettable experiences in religious education. Our students will learn about the variety of religions in the world we live in to increase their awareness and understanding of different cultures, faiths and world views. We teach using an approach of theology, human and social sciences and philosophy that enables learners to understand what drives people to live the way they do. This builds each child’s ‘religious literacy’ helping them understand the nature of religion and belief in the world in which they live. Children then have the opportunity to learn from this religious belief e.g. reconciliation and put this into practice in their own lives. Children can expect that teaching and learning in Church schools will use an approach that engages with biblical text and theological ideas.
Our aims and objectives are for children:
• To know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical text.
• To gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews being studied.
• To engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
• To recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places.
• To explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways living, believing and thinking.
IMPLEMENTATION
At Elveden C of E Primary Academy, our religious education curriculum follows the Emmanuel Project. This scheme of work provides children with a wide range of inspiring opportunities following a five step learning process of Engage, Enquire, Explore, Evaluate and Express. Throughout their time at Elveden C of E Primary Academy our children will explore many religions and increase their awareness of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Humanism. The children develop their understanding of religious education through lessons, visits to places of worships, guest speakers and workshops. The Emmanuel Project uses big questions as central to its approach. These questions are then explored in different ways and children are encouraged to ask their own questions throughout. Children at Elveden are taught by teachers who have a secure subject knowledge and are confident in helping them navigate and challenge cultural and religious stereotypes, prejudice and extremism.
IMPACT
Religious education is monitored through a variety of methods to ensure that the children are receiving a consistent progression throughout the school. This is achieved through book looks, pupil voice and regular feedback each lesson. Religious education is considered an academic subject at Elveden and the children’s knowledge is assessed regularly through the solo taxonomy approach provided by the Emmanuel Unit and the R.E. assessments linked to each unit.