Religious Education (RE)
Differences were made not to divide but to enrich.
Intent
At St Mark’s Primary School, we value and celebrate the rich diversity of the community we serve. As such, through the teaching of Religious Education, we seek to promote and encourage respect for all people of different religions and world views. Children learn about religions and world views, including beliefs, practices and traditions. They are able to gain a deep understanding of religions and world views by being encouraged to ask questions. Children also learn from religion and have regular opportunities to discuss their thoughts on issues that help to develop their sense of belonging and identity, for example human rights, equality, tolerance, morality, charity and kindness.
Strong links are also made to the British Values, Children’s Rights and SMSC development. As a result, RE assists our pupils to reflect on the kind of person they want to be as a member of St Mark’s Primary School but also as citizens of the world.
Our curriculum enables and encourages the following of our pupils:
- understand, respect and show an empathetic awareness of the beliefs of others
- respond to philosophical questions with reference to the teachings and practices of religions and worldviews, at times relating them to their own understanding and experiences
- respectfully compare similarities and differences of religions studied with their own beliefs, values and experiences
- develop positive attitudes towards other people who hold views and beliefs different from their own and towards living in a society of diverse religions and worldviews.
Implementation
Religious Education at St Mark’s Primary School follows the Merton Agreed Syllabus for RE – ‘Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education’ (S.A.C.R.E). The aim of this syllabus is to support pupils’ developing awareness and understanding of the major world faiths and to address fundamental questions, for example, the meaning of life and the existence of a divine spirit. We enable children to develop a sound knowledge of a range of world religions, especially those that are the main faiths of children within our own school. At St Mark’s we know how relationships with members of local faith communities can enrich pupils’ experiences in RE and we strive to cultivate and maintain these relationships.
At St Mark’s Primary School, our curriculum focuses on providing pupils with a variety of enriching, multi-sensory and first hand experiences such as the following:
- handling artefacts and scared texts
- using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
- responding to images, stories, art and music
- meeting visitors from local religious communities
- making visits to religious places of worship where possible and where not, making use of VR technology and other immersive technology
- taking part in whole school celebrations such as Christmas and Diwali and participating in assemblies
- comparing religions and worldviews through discussion
- discussing religious beliefs, worldviews and philosophical ideas and answering and asking ultimate questions posed by these
Impact
Through their R.E. learning, 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.
We use a range of strategies to assess the development of the children’s knowledge and skills:
- The class teacher’s on-going formative assessments
- Book scrutinies
- Lesson observations and feedback
- Pupil voice surveys
To further develop your child's knowledge and understanding in RE, encourage them to visit some of our recommended websites at home:
Click here for information on the option to withdraw your child from RE lessons