"Religion is the clearest telescope through which we can behold the beauties of creation, and the good of our Creator."
William Scott Downey
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase"
Martin Luther King Jr.
Why RE Is Important
A high-quality education in Religion and Worldviews helps pupils understand their own worldview and how that links to the diversity of religious and non-religious worldviews found in the world today.
It equips them with the skills and knowledge to enter today’s modern society and globalised workplace.
National Curriculum– Purpose of Study
At Ranworth the aims of religious education are:
– acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of principal world faiths practised in Great Britain. These include Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as the perspectives of those without a faith, such as Humanists.
– develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals,
communities, societies and cultures;
– develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues with reference to the teachings of the principal religions
– enhance their own spiritual, moral, cultural and social development by:
– developing awareness of the fundamental questions of life arising from human experiences and how religious beliefs and practices can relate to them;
– responding to the fundamental questions of life in the light of
– their experience and with reference to religious beliefs and practices;
– reflecting on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study;
– expressing their own personal viewpoints in a thoughtful, reasoned and considerate way;
– recognise the right of people to hold different beliefs within a religiously diverse society.
Through high quality teaching, we intend to develop the following essential characteristics amongst our children:
– curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives;
– widespread understanding of the ways in which people are interdependent and interconnected;
– cultivate the ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;
– express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society, religions, cultures and the environment.
What RE Looks Like At Ranworth Primary School
RE has been carefully planned and learning opportunities and assessment milestones for each year group built in to ensure progression. We believe in a spiral approach and children
may revisit, in an age appropriate way, key learning, knowledge and skills so as to embed these.
In RE we foster a reflective approach to learning by encouraging an open and honest enquiry, an awareness of prejudice, a growing self-understanding and respecting the rights of others to hold
beliefs different from their own by Learning about Religions and Learning from Religion.
Children will be “Learning about Religions” and “Learning from Religion” through:
– investigation; the use of first-hand and other resources to understand religious people, objects, symbols, places, events, stories, exploring a range of religious stories and sacred writings and talk about their meanings
– questioning; developing curiosity about life, relationships and the natural world
– empathy; developing the power of imagination to identify feelings such
– as wonder, forgiveness, sorrow, joy and to try to see the world through the eyes of others
– reflection; the ability to consider thoughts, feelings, experiences, attitudes, beliefs of oneself and others
– relating; linking significant features of religions, making associations between them, to understand what makes religions distinct and/or similar
– expression; the ability to identify and explain feelings and aspects of religions
Inclusion
All RE lessons/activities are designed and planned to include all children through a range of approaches. Lessons are planned to facilitate the best possible outcome for all children within the class.
Concepts Running Through RE
Pupils will describe, explain and analyse beliefs, and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities.
Pupils will identify, investigate and respond to questions posed by, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and world views.
Pupil will appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
Pupils will explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities.
Pupils will express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value.
Pupils will appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.
Pupils will find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively.
Pupils will enquire into what enables different communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all.
Pupils will articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain reasons why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.
When RE Is Taught at Ranworth
RE is taught throughout the year. Children will cover different topics within RE each year. As the children progress through the years, their RE learning delves deeper into more complex concepts and issues.