Sufficient dedicated curriculum time, meeting explicitly RE objectives, is planned into the timetable every week, alongside collapsed curriculum days which focus entirely on Christian festivals, such as Christmas and Easter. RE has a very high profile within the school, and learning activities provide for the needs of all learners. Discovery RE provides a progressive and detailed resource, which support them in their teaching. Learners are inspired by the subject and develop a wide range of higher level skills such as enquiry, analysis, interpretation, evaluation and reflection to deepen their understanding of the impact of religion on the world.
Attainment is high and progress is significant in developing an understanding of Christianity and a broad range of religions and world views. As two thirds of the RE curriculum is dedicated to Christianity, pupils make good progress in relation to understanding Christianity as a major world faith. By adopting a scheme which carefully incorporates critical thinking, children have the opportunity to reflect on key theological concepts and beliefs.
For us as a Church School, the most powerful element of RE is the opportunity to critically reflect on their own religious, spiritual and/or philosophical convictions. Staff are well practiced in providing meaningful opportunities for personal reflection. Throughout all units of work, children are provided with many opportunities to reflect and respond to deep theological concepts.
As a Church of England School, we are committed to our children being fully immersed into the wonderful seasons of the Christian year. However, we are equally committed to ensuring that our children develop the critical thinking skills to reflect objectively on life, religion and the world as a whole. Through our carefully planned RE curriculum, children are provided with opportunities to think critically about religious beliefs, debating whether or not they believe ideas to be true and real.