| Religious Education | |
| Longhorsley First School RE Overview | Download |
In our Church of England school, Religious Education (R.E) nurtures spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. It encourages children to explore big questions about life, meaning, and belief. Through RE, pupils learn about Christianity in depth while also studying other world religions. A Festival based approach for other religions in EYFS as well as other worldviews that are represented in our local contexts, Islam and Judaism in KS1, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism in Key Stage 2. This enables children to make sense of a range of religious and non-religious concepts and beliefs, explore the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs and allows them to make the connections between religious and non-religious concepts, beliefs, practices and ideas studied.
We aim for children to engage thoughtfully with beliefs, values, and ethical issues, supporting our school’s Christian ethos and promoting a strong sense of community – living out our core values and school vision of:
Love your Neighbour as yourself so we can all aspire, believe and achieve to be the very best that we can be…
(taken from Matthew 22:39)
Intent
We want all pupils to:
- Develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity as a living world faith
- Explore a range of other major world religions and non-religious worldviews
- Ask and reflect on philosophical and moral questions (For example:Why should we help people who need it? Why is it important to feel part of a community? Why do many religions teach that we should tell the truth?)
- Understand how religion and belief influence communities and individuals
- Foster respect, empathy, and tolerance for others
Implementation
We follow the Dioceses of Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Syllabus for Religious Education and enhance the children’s experiences by educational visitors or visits and make links with other subjects and groups within school; For example: Eco Warriors, RE Ambassadors.
EYFS: Children explore beliefs and festivals through stories, songs, role-play, and discussion about feelings, values, and relationships | KS1: Pupils study Christianity alongside Judaism and Islam, learning about key beliefs, stories, celebrations, and moral teachings. | KS2: Pupils explore Christianity in greater depth alongside Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. They compare beliefs, study sacred texts, and consider ethical and moral questions. |
Teaching approaches include:
- Storytelling, discussion, and reflection, role-play, drama, and creative responses.
- Visits to local churches, this includes additional enrichment activities provided by Reverend Elaine and her team Experience Easter and Experience Christmas events in both St Mary Magdalene’s and St Helen’s Churches.
- Visits to other religions buildings; including Temple, Mosque, Synagogue and other places of worship or if this is not possible visitors are invited into school
- Linking learning to the school’s Christian values
- Cross-curricular links, foundation subjects and explored through key people in our Commando Joe sessions
Impact
Children will:
- Recall and explain key beliefs, teachings, and practices
- Develop skills in reflection, discussion, and critical thinking
- Show respect for different beliefs and worldviews
- Apply learning to personal, social, and moral decision-making
- Enjoy learning about religion and spirituality
Withdrawal from RE lessons
In England and Wales, Parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to withdraw their children from RE lessons and acts of Collective Worship in schools. You can also request a withdrawal from any subjects, lessons or assemblies involving discussions on the topic of sex and relationships.
As parents you are not obliged to give a reason for requesting the withdrawal and it can be for all or some of a session.
However, before exercising any right of withdrawal we would recommend you discuss your concerns with Mrs Brannen or Mrs Campbell (as subject leader).
Should your child be withdrawn from those learning activities/lessons they will be directed to supplementary humanities lessons instead.
Requests for withdrawals are made in writing; please see the text below as an example:
As parents of [Child’s name] we formally request that he/she is withdrawn from worship/RE/Sex and relationships of any kind in future, without any detriment.
