Intent

RE is taught from EYFS to Y6 and reflects the fact that religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religious traditions represented in Great Britain. The syllabus aims to support pupil's personal search for meaning as they explore what it means to be human, but also specifies knowledge and skills which build towards clear goals at the end of each key stage. This ensures that the curriculum is progressive, clearly sequenced and suitably ambitious. It is rooted in disciplinary knowledge based in theology, social sciences and philosophy.

At Buckshaw we recognise the variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds from which our pupils come. The taught syllabus is not designed to convert pupils, or to promote a particular religion or religious belief. As a school, we maintain that teaching about religions and world views should be sufficiently fair, balanced and open.  We aim to promote mutual respect and understanding, whilst not undermining or ignoring the role of families and religious or belief organisations in transmitting values to successive generations.

Implementation

RE is taught throughout the year and is implemented within each year group accordingly. This allows pupils to:

• Describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals.
• Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and world views.
• Appreciate and evaluate the nature, significance and impact f different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
• Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and world views.
• Explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities.
• Express with increasing discernment their personal reflexions and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues.
• Appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion or a world view.
• Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and world views.
• Find ut about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively.
• Enquire int what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all.
• Articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.

Impact

At Buckshaw we believe that studying religious and non-religious world views is essential if pupils are to be well prepared for life in our increasingly diverse society. Pupils need to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to make sense of the complex world in which they live so that they can respect religious and cultural differences and contribute to a cohesive and compassionate society.

Religious Education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. Pupils learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express insights in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully.

Pupils are encouraged to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences so that they can hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religions and world views whilst respecting the views of others.