Religious Education
Look here for key information about Religious Education at Bucklebury
RE at Bucklebury is shaped to ensure that our provision reflects the Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education.
Our curriculum map includes the planned delivery of RE throughout the school. We hold that while each national curriculum subject domain holds equal importance in the nourishing of the whole child in every child, the study of RE enables every child to hold the knowledge and skills to grow most fully in mind, body and spirit. We use a range of resources from the Diocese of Oxford and beyond to shape teaching and learning.
Please click the link above to review the current locally agreed syllabus and see below for a RE provision statement.
Purpose
This statement outlines the aims and principles for RE teaching at Bucklebury C of E Primary School. It will be shared and approved by both staff and governors. It will be reviewed every three years under the overall monitoring responsibility of the Curriculum leader, Headteacher and Governing Board.
Our Christian vision
In giving pupils the knowledge of a range of religions and world views so that they can flourish as citizens in a modern, global society, this policy particularly embodies the school’s Christian vision:
Love is tangible every day. Values of love, faith and hope create an inclusive culture where all flourish. The school knows every child, enabling personalised provision that is exceptionally delivered. Children are capable, confident and curious. Balanced in mind, body and spirit, they leave ready to lead themselves and others.
Intent
Religious education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum. The 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.
RE has a high profile within the curriculum and is a priority for all stakeholders. It also contributes to British values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Aims and objectives:
Through our Religious Education curriculum we aim:
To engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
To 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 world views being studied.
To develop their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
To enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance.
To enable learners to become aware of their own beliefs and values and to have a positive attitude to the search for meaning and purpose in life.
To encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.
To engage with challenging questions and 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 and spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking. (Statement of Entitlement 2019)
Implementation
Legal requirements for Religious Education:
Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group and ‘should be provided for all registered pupils except those withdrawn at the request of their parents.’ (s 71 SSFA 1998)
Parents have the right to request that their son or daughter be excused from all or part of the RE provided at school.
The syllabus should ‘reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.’ (s375 (3) Education Act 1996)
We teach from the ODBE Scheme of Work and from the Understanding Christianity Scheme which enables pupils to acquire rich, deep knowledge and understanding of the Christian belief and practice: Text, Impact, and Connections.
We ensure that we comply with the legal requirements by following the Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. This includes the teachings of:
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Sikihism
Judaism
Children learn ‘about religion’ and 'from religion’ and we aim to promote tolerance and understanding of those of different faiths or no faith. This is achieved through enhancing pupils’ understanding of their place in a culturally diverse society and by giving them opportunities to experience such diversity in the local and wider community.
There are opportunities to experience different places of worship through visits to local mosques, churches, synagogues and temples (see Special Events section).
Members of different faiths or religions via the local community are invited into school and encouraged to share their knowledge to enhance learning across the school. Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis.
Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.
Assessment
Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the in Locally Agreed Syllabus and in ‘Understanding Christianity’ which in turn have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally.
We track individual pupil’s progress in this way, whilst also bearing in mind that the statements do not cover all aspects of teaching and learning in RE. For example, pupil’s personal views and ideas are not subject to formal assessment, and yet are central to good RE.
Impact
Religious Education develops pupils’:
knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;
understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths;
understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures;
skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.
Religious Education encourages pupils to:
consider challenging questions of the 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;
understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;
learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;
learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues;
develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society;
develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
Religious Education enhances pupils’:
awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.
Religious Education offers:
opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
PROCEDURE
Bucklebury CE Primary School follows Pan-Berkshire Agreed Syllabus for Education 2018-2023. The locally agreed syllabus satisfies two key requirements:
the law (as set out in the Education Act 1996
the aims of RE as defined by the local Agreed Syllabus Conference
It also fulfils the Statement of Entitlement detailed in the Church of England Education Office document published in February 2019.
Planning and Delivery
The syllabus is presented as a school curriculum map which is organised by the curriculum leader in a two-year cycle. Units of work are allocated each half term in the form of ‘big questions’. The three strands of ‘Belonging, Believing and Behaving’ are explicit and expected outcomes have replaced Attainment levels. Key questions will be explored throughout each key stage. Planning will reflect the needs of all children and ensure that every child has equal access to the curriculum. RE will be taught discretely each week throughout the school year, with additional visits, visitors and curriculum days to enrich this.
Foundation stage: During this year our pupils will encounter Christianity through using the Understanding Christianity resource and at least one other principal religion. Learning will be experiential and thematic.
Minimum teaching time:
Key Stage 1: 36 hours per year. We will learn about Christianity and Judaism
Key Stage 2: 45 hours per year. We will learn about Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism.
Monitoring
The implementation of the policy and scheme of work will be monitored by the Headteacher and the Governing Board Academic committee. Assessment is an integral part of the teaching process. Formative, summative (termly) and peer and self-assessment will be used to monitor learning and to inform future planning using whole school systems.
Equal Opportunities
All children will be given the same educational opportunities regardless of their gender, colour, ethnicity, socio-economic background and physical ability.
Withdrawal from Religious Education
Parents who wish to withdraw their children from RE must provide a written request to the Head-teacher.
(Ref: Education Act 1944, RE in English Schools: Non-statutory guidance 2010, DCSF)
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Curriculum Map 2021-23
The Pan-Berkshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2018-2023
A statement of entitlement February 2019, The Church of England Office