Religious Education
Lead Teachers: Mrs J Watkin & Miss S Greenhouse
Rationale
Religious Education (RE) is a statutory and essential part of the curriculum at Alkrington Primary School, and plays a vital role in supporting pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. In line with legal requirements for maintained community schools, our RE curriculum is taught according to the Rochdale Locally Agreed Syllabus and reflects the predominantly Christian traditions of Great Britain, while also recognising and valuing the diversity of other principal religions and worldviews represented locally, nationally and globally.
Intent
RE provides pupils with opportunities to explore fundamental questions about life, meaning, beliefs, values and identity. Through learning about and from a range of religions and worldviews, pupils develop understanding, empathy and respect for others, preparing them to participate positively in an increasingly diverse society.
Our intent is to deliver a high-quality, inclusive RE curriculum that engages pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions that religions and worldviews address. We aim to ensure that all pupils:
- Develop secure knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews
- Are able to express, explain and evaluate religious and ethical ideas with increasing confidence and respect
- Reflect on their own beliefs and values while appreciating the beliefs of others
- Develop skills of dialogue, critical thinking and thoughtful judgement
Implementation
RE is taught as a clearly identified subject with dedicated curriculum time, meeting or exceeding national guidance of at least 5% of teaching time across all phases.
- Early Years: 36 hours of RE, e.g. 50 minutes a week or some short sessions implemented through continuous provision
- Key Stage 1: 36 hours of teaching per year (e.g. an hour a week, or less than an hour a week plus a series of RE days)
- Key Stage 2: 45 hours of teaching per year (e.g. an hour a week, or a series of RE days or weeks amounting to 45+ hours of RE)
RE is a compulsory part of the basic curriculum for all Reception age pupils, and is taught according to the Rochdale Agreed Syllabus. Children encounter religions and world views through focused activities and continuous provision. Children explore special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship, and they listen to and talk about stories. Children are introduced to subject-specific words and use all their senses to explore beliefs, practices and forms of expression. They ask questions and reflect on their own feelings and experiences, and use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation of and wonder at the world in which they live.
Pupils in KS1 and KS2 study a sequence of carefully selected units from the Rochdale Locally Agreed Syllabus, organised around key questions and the three strands of Believing, Expressing and Living.
The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:
Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews so that they can:
- describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals
- identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses, offered by some of the sources of wisdom2 found in religions and worldviews
- appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning
Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities
- express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues
- appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion
Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively
- enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all
- articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives
Teaching and learning in RE is enquiry-based and skill-rich. Lessons develop pupils’ abilities to investigate, reflect, express, interpret, empathise, apply, analyse, synthesise and evaluate religious ideas and practices. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited, and learning builds progressively on prior knowledge.
Assessment is primarily formative, using questioning, discussion, observation and work scrutiny to inform next steps. Summative assessments at the end of each term support teachers in evaluating progress and informing future planning. The RE subject leader monitors provision, supports staff development and ensures high-quality resources and curriculum coverage.
Inclusion
RE at Alkrington Primary School is designed to be inclusive for all pupils, including those with SEND, and does not seek to promote or privilege one belief system over another. Instead, it encourages open-mindedness, respectful discussion and informed reflection, supporting pupils in forming their own ideas and values.
Teaching is adapted through:
- Simplified language and key vocabulary
- Visual supports, symbols and concrete resources
- Structured discussion, storytelling and experiential learning
- Flexible outcomes that value progress rather than comparison
This ensures all pupils can develop understanding about and from religions and worldviews at an appropriate level.
Impact
As a result of our RE curriculum, pupils leave Alkrington Primary School with a secure and age-appropriate understanding of key religions and worldviews and the ability to discuss them thoughtfully and respectfully. Pupils demonstrate curiosity about beliefs and practices, confidence in expressing their own ideas, and empathy towards others.
RE supports pupils’ wider personal development, contributing positively to behaviour, relationships and attitudes within school. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain, with the skills and understanding needed to live respectfully alongside people of different faiths, beliefs and cultures. The impact of RE is evident in pupils’ work, discussions, reflections and their ability to engage maturely with questions of meaning, values and diversity.
RE Progression of Skills and Knowledge
Please see our 'Policies' section for our latest Religious Education and Collective Worship Policy
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