“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,”
Proverbs 1:5
Our Vision for RE
At St Matthew’s Primary school, our school vision is to encourage all children to flourish spiritually, morally, emotionally, physically and intellectually in all aspects of life demonstrating perseverance and resilience; this is emulated across all curriculum areas.
Intent
At St Matthew’s Primary school, our school vision is to encourage all children to flourish spiritually, morally, emotionally, physically and intellectually in all aspects of life demonstrating perseverance and resilience; this is emulated across all curriculum areas.
- to engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, in order to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
• to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain.
• to develop their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
• to enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their own search for identity and significance.
• to 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.
• to encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.
Implementation
Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group. The syllabus should ‘reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.’ We ensure that we comply with the legal requirements by following the Lichfield Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and Understanding Christianity: Text, Impact, and Connections. Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis. To enhance the children’s spiritual development we also deliver yearly Interfaith workshops in November and celebrate African and Caribbean Celebration Month in October. Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions. They are also encouraged to reflect and be still, embracing God’s “Ows, Wows and Wows.”
Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus and in Understanding Christianity, which in turn have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally. We track individual pupil’s progress in this way, whilst also bearing in mind that the statements do not cover all aspects of teaching and learning in RE. For example, pupil’s personal views and ideas are not subject to formal assessment, and yet are central to good RE. Progress in RE is reported annually to parents and has a prominent position in the end of year report.
Impact
Religious Education at St Matthew’s develops pupils’…
• knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions (Sikhism, Judaism and Islam), other religious traditions and world views; 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 through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
• Spirituality including skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.
Religious Education at St Matthew’s 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 a Christian/ 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, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
Religious Education at St Matthew’s 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.
Religious Education at St Matthew’s offers…
• opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
