Religious Education is a curriculum entitlement for all children and the school follows the Lichfield Diocese Board of Education’s Religious Education guidance, alongside Understanding Christianity.  Religious Education does not seek to urge religious beliefs on children or to compromise the integrity of their own beliefs by promoting one religion over another.  

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Our school community will foster the ability in all to ‘Dream to achieve’, recognising the extraordinary and wondrous in everything and in everyone. Our rich, varied and creative curriculum, together with our core Christian values, will empower all to flourish emotionally, socially, spiritually and academically, confidently knowing that ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:11–13).

 

Intent

 

Religious Education has a unique place as a central subject in the curriculum of our school. Through our Religious Education curriculum, we aim to:
 

• Engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

• Reflect on and respond to the values, beliefs and practices of religions and philosophies represented in Great Britain and around the world.

• Develop pupils’ understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook

• Enable our pupils to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance

• 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

• Encourage our learners to develop a positive respect and understanding for the beliefs, values and practices of other people.

 

Through our RE curriculum, we aim for our children to understand Christianity as a diverse, global, living faith through the exploration of core beliefs and critically engaging with biblical texts, exploring the teaching of Jesus and the Church.

RE lessons provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain and in the wider world and we encourage them to appreciate diversity, continuity and change within the religions and world views being studied. In order to recognise the concept of religion, its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places, pupils will engage with – and be encouraged to raise their own – challenging questions of meaning and purpose.

As well as being given opportunities to explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking, we aim to provide our pupils with a love of faith, which will weave throughout our religious curriculum. Our pupils will develop an understanding attitude towards all faiths and appreciate what it means to belong to a Church of England school with Christian values.

 

Implementation

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As a Church of England school, we abide by the RE Statement of Entitlement. Religious education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish, ‘that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together.

Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions (and worldviews) and for the religious freedom of each person.

A high-quality sequential religious education (RE) programme is essential. As such, we ensure that pupils receive one hour of RE per week. At Key Stage Two, children are required to learn about three world religions, with at least 50% of curriculum time focusing on Christianity. Our three focus religions are Christianity, Islam, and Sikhism, as these are representative of both our school and local community.

Religious Education is taught using a rolling 2-year cycle with lessons planned and delivered in accordance with the Lichfield Diocese Board of Education Guidance (2017). Lessons are taught weekly and are planned to incorporate the Understanding Christianity scheme and the LDBE scheme.

Knowledge and understanding in RE is developed in a variety of ways, ensuring that all pupils can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage pupils to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions. Substantive knowledge is taught, but our primary focus is to develop the children’s disciplinarian knowledge. Children are encouraged to explore religious texts, concepts, and beliefs, consider how these relate to the actions of believers and reflect on how their learning can apply to their own lives and the world around them.

Our knowledge and skills progression document, from EYFS through to Y6, shows staff how to move the learning forward for each unit of RE to ensure that pupils are building on key skills and prior knowledge thus allowing them to further their knowledge and understanding.

 

Impact

 

Religious Education at Haughton St Giles develops pupils’:

• knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and worldviews

• 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 using 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.

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Religious Education at Haughton St Giles 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 whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Religious Education at Haughton St Giles 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.

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Children will leave Haughton St Giles well prepared for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions and for the religious freedom of each person that they meet.​

 

Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural (SMSC)

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At Haughton St Giles Academy we have a firmly embedded set of Christian Values that are taught and lived out by the entire school community. Through regular worships, references in RE and other lessons, as well as seizing upon opportunities in other areas of the school, children are explicitly taught the 6 School Christian Values.

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As a school we welcome children from all backgrounds and are proud of how children and their families from other cultures are welcomed by our children and the rest of the school community.

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In all teaching the teachers look to inspire and enthuse children. Teachers look to develop a love of learning and a working atmosphere where children enjoy learning.

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Children are given opportunities to take on responsibility around the school: Y6 leader roles, School Council, school development projects, playground leaders and lunch time clubs.

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The school has a clear behaviour policy that sets high expectations and promotes a good moral understanding, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. Friendship, Respect and Tolerance are taught as part of our Personal, Social, Health Education program.

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Through a combination of approaches the school is able to ensure that children develop an understanding of the key British Values: Democracy, Rule of Law, Mutual Respect, Personal Liberty and Tolerance of other faiths and cultures.