At Barford St. Peter's C.E. Primary School, RE is core to the education we provide. Not only do we instill Christian values in all our children, but we teach about all the major world religions and provide an enriching RE curriculum. Our children grow to understand the beliefs of many faiths and philosophies around the world, both theistic and atheistic. We also strongly encourage our children to form their own opinions about their faith and ask challenging questions about life, the universe and everything!

Throughout their time at Barford School, children will have visited a number of different places of worship in both the local and wider area. We also invite speakers from local religious institutions to lead sessions with classes to teach about their religion, and to allow the children to ask their own questions to help further their understanding and pursue their own lines of enquiry. We regularly receive feedback from these speakers saying how impressed they have been with our children, and how the high standard of questions really challenged them!

The Intent, Implementation and Impact of RE at Barford St Peters Primary School:

Intent

Religious Education explores big questions about life and helps the pupils at Barford St Peters to recognise that the world is vast, exciting, intriguing and a source of deep enrichment for us all. Pupils find out about what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live. They learn to develop and express their own ideas, and to agree or disagree with the opinions and beliefs of others, respectfully.

Through a carefully selected sequence of units from the Warwickshire and Coventry agreed syllabus for Religious Education, teachers challenge preconceptions, provide opportunities for the children to articulate their ideas and opinions clearly (using key vocabulary) and encourage pupils to reflect on the meaning and purpose in life.

We strive to ensure RE lessons are challenging, inspiring and fun. All RE lessons are structured using a multi-disciplinary approach and we ensure that children are aware of what strand they are exploring; philosophy, sociology and theology. Where possible, teachers provide opportunities for creative cross-curricular development to enhance the children’s learning experiences, for example using drama, debating skills and the arts.

Religious Education is an exciting subject which can make an incredible and enriching contribution to the lives of pupils and therefore to our community and wider society surrounding our school. At Barford St Peters, we believe that through their learning in lessons, their visits to local places of worship and meeting people from religious communities, pupils will come to an informed and empathetic understanding of different groups, helping to promote inclusivity and integration, and further supporting our work linked to British values.

We strive for children to live lives that embed our school values and ensure for greater success and to have an attitude of respect, kindness, acceptance and curiosity when it comes to the beliefs and religions of others.

Implementation

• Objectives are taken from the Warwickshire and Coventry agreed syllabus for Religious Education, SACRE, and planned carefully to ensure progression of skills and knowledge across school and across all key stages.

•  Discrete lessons are spread throughout the course of the year, interspersed with acknowledging different religious festivals and significant days through our daily collective worship, themed days and in-class conversations during collective worship reflection time at the end of each day.

• Learning is built on children's prior learning and encouraging children to share their religious beliefs and experiences.

• Children are encouraged to ask perceptive questions and enquire about different religions and beliefs in order to develop and enhance their own and others understanding.

• Enriching experiences are created through visiting places of worship or by having visitors in school to share religious experiences and practices 

• Use of religious symbols, ornaments and artefacts to enhance children’s understanding and use of posters to support with the learning of key vocabulary when exploring new religions.

Impact

The impact of the RE curriculum, that we deliver at Barford St Peters, aims for the children to be exposed to and to have an increased understanding of different religions so that they:

1. 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

• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing beliefs and meaning.

2. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• explain reasonably, respectfully and confidently their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression can influence individuals and communities.

• express, with increasing insight, their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues, whether this be during a vocal discussions or written elements.

3. Gain and apply 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 and respectfully

• enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the well-being 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 in the past, present and future.