Religious Education

Curriculum Statement

Intent

At Frizington Community Primary School, the aim of Religious Education is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and our behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Through Religious Education, pupils develop their knowledge of the world faiths, and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals, societies, communities and cultures. They will develop attitudes of respect towards other people who hold views and beliefs different from their own and develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious issues. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences.

Implementation

We use the agreed Cumbria Agreed Religious Education Syllabus as the basis for our curriculum.  As per their guidance, we focus on: Christianity and Islam in KS1; introduce Buddhism as they enter KS2; and teach aspects of other principal religions across Britain (Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism) to all age groups. 

Each class has weekly Religious Education lessons where teachers use the units recommended by the Cumbrian SACRE.  This is organised into: a three-year rolling programme, for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2; and a two-year rolling programme for both lower KS2 and upper KS2. 

Some lessons may be discussion based, others include art, drama, music or written work. All lessons will encourage children to be inquisitive and open minded, to reflect and discover information and to approach new material with empathy. They will acquire knowledge and be able to use their knowledge to understand their world, build community, and develop their personal position. Throughout the RE curriculum children will be encouraged to explore religions, engage with their knowledge, and reflect on their learning and their lives.

Our assembly programme, visiting experts and trips to places of worship enhance the learning experience.

Impact

Children at Frizington Community Primary School will extend their knowledge and understanding of religions and beliefs; develop a religious vocabulary and interpret religious symbolism in a variety of forms.  They will reflect on questions of meaning, offering their own thoughtful and informed insights into religious and secular world-views and explore ultimate questions of beliefs and values in relation to a range of contemporary issues in an ever-changing society.