R.E.
Our approach to teaching R.E.
The study of religious education (R.E.) introduces pupils to the best that has been thought and said; and helps engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement. R.E. is a compulsory subject both at primary school and secondary school. Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum, which is balanced and broadly based, and which:
- Promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils.
- Prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
Our pupils are well equipped to continue the study of R.E. when they move into secondary education.
Our core aim for all pupils
As well as the academic pursuit, we expect that learning through R.E. will make a direct contribution to the moral and spiritual formation of all our pupils, whatever their current religious beliefs. We aim that through R.E. our pupils might become more reflective in their lives and more understanding in their response to encountering difference. Our pupils:
- Develop knowledge and understanding
- Make links and connections
- Learn about historical development
- Use religious and specialist vocabulary
- Explore meaning and purpose
- Encounter beliefs and values
- Use sources as evidence
- Construct arguments
- Make judgements
- Recognise diversity
- Analyse and deconstruct
"All children need to acquire core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of the religions and worldviews which not only shape their history and culture but which guide their own development. The modern world needs young people who are sufficiently confident in their own beliefs and values that they can respect the religious and cultural differences of others, and contribute to a cohesive and compassionate society" (Religious Education Council of England and Wales).
Thanks to NATRE for the infographic
A Curriculum Framework for Religious Education in England
Links to resources to embed and extend your child's learning
Religious Education is a core subject at the Rosary Catholic Primary School. EYFS and Year 3 are now being taught from the new Religious Education Directory, 'To know You more clearly. It is made up of 6 units, 1 per half term.
- Creation and Covenant
- Prophecy and Promise
- Galilee and Jerusalem
- Desert to Garden
- To the Ends of the Earth
- Dialogue and Encounter
The rest of the school continue to follow the God Matter's scheme of work which is made up of 10 units. These 10 units are taught in the same order in every year group, but the focus and content is different. This ensures both continuity and progression from EYFS up to Year 6. The units taught are listed below in the order that we teach them. The number in brackets indicates roughly the number of weeks spent on that unit:
- Creation (5)
- Prayer, Saints & Feasts (4)
- Advent (4)
- Christmas (2)
- Revelation (4)
- Lent (6)
- Holy Week (1)
- Easter (4)
- Pentecost & Mission (4)
- Sacraments (4)
Please see below for newsletters for each unit. These newsletters outline what each year group will be learning and how parents and carers can support their child's learning at home.
Further Reading:
Unit Newsletters for 'To Know You More Clearly' - Reception and Year 3 from September 2023
Unit Newsletters for God Matters Curriculum - Years 1, 2 4, 5 & 6 from September 2023
Learning about other faiths
We believe that it is really important for the children to learn about other faiths, so that they can begin to build an understanding of how other faiths are similar to and different from the Christian faith. Alongside the God Matters units, the children study four additional faiths:
Judaism - Year 1
Islam - Years 2 and 4
Hinduism - Year 6
Sikhism - Year 6
Learning about other faiths is built into the sixth unit, Dialogue and Encounter, of the new curriculum.