Overview
Introduction
Delves Lane Primary School is a Rights Respecting School. As a Rights Respecting School, we believe that every child is entitled to an outstanding education (Article 28). We provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is firmly rooted in rich learning experiences and enrichment. By taking this approach, we allow our children to develop their knowledge, skills and talents in all curriculum areas; providing them with the tools necessary for life in modern Britain and enabling pupils to reach their full potential (Article 29).
Intent
At Delves Lane Primary School we believe that Religious Education (RE) is a means to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other world religions (Article 28). This will help them to consider how the beliefs of others impact on their lives and the lives of other people. Our aim in teaching RE is to encourage children to ask and reflect on challenging questions; to provide opportunities for personal reflection, where children can explore their own beliefs (not necessarily religious); and to encourage children to appreciate and respect the different cultures and religions in today’s society (Article14). We hope that through the teaching of RE, pupils will develop self-awareness, respect for others, open-mindedness and appreciation and wonder for the world in which we live.
Implementation
The RE curriculum contributes dynamically to pupils’ education in schools by provoking challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. Our school’s RE curriculum is based on the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) and Durham Local Authority’s (LA) Agreed Syllabus 2020 and meets all the requirements set out in that document. The Education Act 1996, states that an Agreed Syllabus must reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. Teaching must be non-denominational and must not be designed to convert pupils to a particular religion. According to the Education Act 1996 parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of RE lessons on the grounds that they wish to provide their own Religious Education.
At Delves Lane Primary School, we plan our RE based on the Durham LA’s Agreed Syllabus 2020. The long and medium term plans ensure that there is progression throughout the school and that children are building upon knowledge learnt in previous years. Enquiry based learning is at the heart of the RE curriculum and actively engages pupils as they build on previous learning to deepen and broaden their understanding. The cycle of enquiry will lead children from exploration to enquiry, evaluation, presentation of findings and reflection. The topics are designed so that pupils develop knowledge and understanding of the principal religions in Great Britain. The introduction of new religious diversity units in Key Stages 1 and 2 in the 2020 Agreed Syllabus will give children a better understanding of the diversity of religious beliefs in modern Britain. It is our aim at Delves Lane Primary School to promote religious literacy and cultural diversity throughout the curriculum.
RE is taught in discrete lessons fortnightly across the year. These lessons are supplemented by drop down days when we invite visitors representing different religions to come into school. Assemblies, particularly around Christmas and Easter, also help to supplement lesson time spent on RE. Where possible, teaching is also extended with trips to places of worship or places of religious significance. The benchmark expectations in the 2020 Agreed Syllabus set out the expected standards of pupils’ performance at different ages.
The three elements of RE around which the planning and teaching is based are: knowledge and understanding of different religions, critical thinking about what has been taught and personal reflection. Pupils learn to interpret, analyse, evaluate and critically respond to the claims that religious and non-religious worldviews make. They learn to express their insights and to agree or disagree respectfully. The teaching of RE enables pupils to appreciate that worldviews are complex, diverse and plural and have influence on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. RE also offers opportunities for personal reflection and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, enabling them to explore their own beliefs, ideas, feelings, experiences and values in the light of what they learn. At Delves Lane Primary School teaching in Religious Education promotes openness, respect for others, scholarly accuracy and critical inquiry (Article 29).
