Religious Education

" Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. "
1 Thessalonians 5:11

As a Church of England Primary School, we provide a caring and inclusive environment where every child is valued and encouraged to develop an understanding of themselves, others and the world around them. Our Christian ethos underpins school life and we celebrate key Christian festivals throughout the year.

Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Derbyshire and Derby City Agreed Syllabus and is supported by the Understanding Christianity resource. Through RE, children explore beliefs, values and ways of living, developing respect, empathy and an appreciation of different viewpoints.

Alongside Christianity, pupils learn about a range of world faiths, including Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. Learning is enriched through discussions, stories, visitors, visits to places of worship and first-hand experiences, helping children develop an understanding of the diverse world in which they live.

Our RE curriculum encourages children to ask questions, reflect on their own beliefs and learn from the experiences and perspectives of others.

Archbishop of York Young Leader's Award

At Woodthorpe, children in Year 1 and Year 3 take part in the Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award. This programme encourages children to recognise that they can make a positive difference in the world around them and empowers them to become a voice for change within their communities.

Through the award, pupils explore issues affecting their local, national and global communities and learn how Christian values can inspire action. Children are encouraged to identify areas where they can make a difference and to develop projects that support others, promote positive change and contribute to the common good.

By participating in both local and wider community projects, children develop leadership skills, confidence, empathy and a sense of responsibility. The award helps our pupils understand that they have the power to influence change and make a meaningful contribution to society, both now and in the future.

Curriculum Intent

Intent

We promote an environment where all children feel known, accepted, and valued as individuals, within a caring community, where our Christian faith affects not only what we teach, but also how we teach. We believe that it is fundamental for the children to belong to a safe and nurturing community, founded on strong Christian values where children will develop an array of skills that will enable them to make their own positive contribution to our global society.

Our intent for all the children in RE are:

To provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning of life, beliefs about God, the nature of reality and morality.
To develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal world religions, religious traditions and world-views, which offer answers to ultimate questions.
To encourage pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging, in order to flourish within communities, as responsible citizens in society and global communities.
To teach pupils to develop respect for others and their beliefs and helps to challenge prejudice.
To prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society encouraging empathy, generosity and compassion.

Religious Education Intent, Implementation and Impact

Curriculum Coverage

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the best they can be.

We ensure, at Woodthorpe, that we fully meet the requirement of the statement of entitlement for Church schools, which states that all children are to receive a high quality Religious Education which supports them in all aspects of their learning : “Religious education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together” (Statement of Entitlement)

All classes teach RE weekly and follow the school's long term cycle. We work on a one year cycle in Reception, a two year cycle in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

We implement our intent by:

Teaching RE weekly using both Understanding Christianity scheme and the Derby city and Derbyshire syllabus.
Ensuring progression of understanding, knowledge and skills from foundation to Year 6.
Teaching about Christianity, as well as a wide range of other religions.
Handling artefacts
Exploring scared texts
Using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
Responding to images, games, stories, art, music and dance
Meeting visitors from local religious communities
Making visits to religious places of worship where possible, and where not, making use of videos and the internet
Taking part in whole school events- (multi-faith days, Harvest Festival, school performances, Mass, Church services)
Participating in moments of quiet reflection
Comparing religions and worldviews through discussion
Debating and communicating religious belief, worldviews and philosophical ideas and answering and asking ultimate questions posed by these

Spirituality in Religious Education

At Woodthorpe, we believe spirituality is about helping children develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others, the world around them and, for many, their relationship with God.

As a Church of England school, we provide opportunities for children to reflect, ask questions, explore beliefs and consider what gives meaning and purpose to life. We encourage children to be curious about the world and to appreciate the diversity of beliefs, experiences and cultures within our school community and beyond.

Spiritual development is woven throughout school life and can be found in many different experiences, including:

Collective Worship and prayer
Religious Education lessons
Forest School and outdoor learning
Reflection opportunities within the classroom
Celebrating achievements and recognising the gifts of others
Acts of kindness, service and caring for others
Exploring big questions about life, faith and the world around us
Appreciating the beauty and wonder of the natural world

Our Christian vision, inspired by the words, "Encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11), encourages children to reflect on how they can support others and make a positive difference in their community.

Through these experiences, we aim to nurture children who are thoughtful, compassionate and reflective, developing a sense of belonging, purpose and respect for themselves, others and the wider world.

Derbyshire and Derby City Agreed Syllabus

Woodthorpe Long Term Overview

RE Overview 2024/2025 including enrichment

RE knowledge and skills