Religious Education

Statement of Intent

At Clifton Hampden CE Primary School, Religious Education (R.E) plays an important role in our curriculum and school life which is taught either weekly or as a block each term. R.E. enables our children to explore and question spiritual and religious experience and search for a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose in life and aims to develop religious literacy. Our R.E. curriculum is centred around using a termly ‘big question.’ These help to spark the children’s curiosity and give them the opportunity to discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions. They learn to develop and express their own insights and beliefs in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully with the views and beliefs of others. They will learn about different religious and non-religious beliefs and practices that influence and shape our community and culture today. We aim for a good balance between theology, philosophy and human science. As children progress, they will be able to talk about and understand a range of religions and worldviews which will enable them to explain and analyse beliefs and practises, recognising and valuing the diversity which exists within our community.

To provide enrichment opportunities alongside our R.E. curriculum, we visit churches in our local community to explore the different features and have visits from local clergy to broaden our understanding of church practices. At Clifton Hampden CE Primary School, there is an emphasis on the teaching of Christianity as a world faith. Our curriculum draws pupils into deeper understanding of the Bible, explores how Christian belief and practice are shaped, makes connections with other areas of belief and understanding, and encourages reflection, evaluation and application. Questions are explored in relation to the Bible, the Christian community and wider Christian living. The Oxfordshire Diocese Scheme of Work provides us with a scheme of work that support the teaching of other religions and worldviews. In Key Stage 1, Judaism is taught alongside Christianity and in Key Stage 2 Islam and Hindusim are explored, along with non-religious worldviews. Again children have the opportunity to investigate core concepts, beliefs and practices, make connections and reflect and develop an understanding, appreciation and respect for beliefs, values and customs that may differ from their own.

At Clifton Hampden CE Primary School the RE curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and including pupils with SEN and/or disabilities, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We use various strategies to support the teaching and learning of RE such as; using simpler texts and visuals, overlays, enlarging print, pairing children, breaking learning into smaller chunks and using simplified instructions.

RE is assessed at the end of every unit and through children’s oral and written responses in lessons and their engagement in activities that provide evidence of their growing knowledge and understanding. A summative assessment is recorded in reports at the end of the school year.

Supporting your child in RE

Talk to your child about what they are learning in RE, encouraging them to reflect on what they have learnt and develop their own views and beliefs.. Encourage curiosity about the cultures and beliefs that they come across, for example through the news. Value their own ‘big questions’ and together search for and talk about possible answers, acknowledging that people will have different points of view but that we respect and value our differences.

BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmyb4wx

have useful videos to help learn about different religious and non-religious beliefs.