Religious Education at Phoenix Community Primary School

INTENT

At Phoenix Community Primary School, we believe that it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help pupils to develop and acquire knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. We want them to learn and to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE, in promoting social awareness and understanding in our pupils. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens.

When discussing religion, pupils would be expected to share examples of being able to recall events and facts about religions; relating their own events to the religious events; being able to describe the impact of stories and show understanding, giving a personal reason why as well as being able to give clear reasons ‘why’. When talking about their learning from religion, pupils would be expected to share their own experiences, respond in discussions with others; find things in common with other people; apply their knowledge and ask questions; have the courage to express their views and opinions, especially being able to communicate their own personal thought clearly.

IMPLEMENTATION

The teaching of Religious Education is taught in line with the Canterbury Diocese scheme of work and it is has been agreed that the following religions will form the pupil’s study.

• Christianity
• Islam
• Judaism
• Hinduism
• Buddhism
• Sikhism

We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community. We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils. We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both staff and pupils. At Phoenix, the teaching of our R.E. curriculum ensures that there are links to important dates, religious festivals and provides opportunities to celebrate festivals, different religions which are relevant to our pupils and shares consistency. The pupils at Phoenix Community Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the pupils are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing world. We want our pupil’s to have:

• Knowledge and references to religious and non-religious beliefs, ways of life, worldwide views
• A rich and diverse community
• Visit places of workshops, and faith communities local to school
• Concepts and mastery of skills to make sense of religion and beliefs
• Positive attitude and value; reflect and relate their own learning in RE to their own experience
• Acknowledge philosophical perspectives
• Develop knowledge and understanding of religions, contributing to spiritual, moral, social and cultural development

IMPACT

Our pupils will be able to talk confidently about different religions and their impact on individuals and communities. Pupils will show tolerance and respect towards others and their views whilst being able to express their own thoughtfully and sensitively. Their learning is recorded through a variety of outcomes; there is evidence of pupil voice in the class floor book where they have the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about an event or a topic. Pupils evidence their learning on Seesaw, an online learning journal, where they can post their learning or complete activities set by the class teacher. We understand that not all aspects of learning from religion are assessable or measurable, we fully encourage pupils to share personal views, attitudes or emotions. Demonstration of these skills show examples of responding and evaluating.