INTENT

At Everton Primary School, we believe Religious Education is an essential part of our curriculum; we don’t believe this is a stand-alone subject and themes are sometimes explored throughout our English curriculum and PSHE. Our intent is for our teachers to deliver the National Curriculum, promoting enthusiasm and curiosity so children have a real thirst for understanding of their own faith and beliefs and that of others. At Everton Primary School, our aim is to deliver a curriculum which gives children the confidence to understand the importance of equity and diversity in our world and to develop the ability to be independently respectful of other people and their way of life. We intend to give children the opportunity to explore the similarities and differences, describing and considering a range of religions, beliefs and inspirational people. We intend for our children to have the opportunity to investigate and experience a range of faiths and beliefs. Our belief is that children should understand, and respect, that not everyone has the same beliefs but we can all live in harmony together. We intend for our pupils to value teamwork but also work with independence to explore primary and secondary sources of information to help them learn more about different faiths and beliefs. Our intention is to give children the experience and exposure to other celebrations and festivals that are not linked to Christianity; this is important as the local area serves mainly a population of people who follow Christian beliefs. Our intention is that children will be curious and enthusiastic about researching this, along with speaking to visitors (experts) and visiting different places of worship.

IMPLEMENTATION

As we have 4 mixed classes at Everton, our Religious Education Curriculum has been designed on a 2-year rolling programme.

The way in which we implement our curriculum:

Our teaching of Religious Education follows the guidance given in the latest agreed syllabus for Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils.

The Agreed Syllabus for RE in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire

2021-2026

• Using this Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, we will enable our pupils to discover more about religion as well as other world views as we assist them to apply their learning to a range of topics. Our pupils are encouraged to express ideas and insights into key questions which face all human beings as we travel through life.
• By following the Agreed Syllabus, we will also contribute to a whole range of school priorities.  The study of religious and world views will also promote spiritual, cultural, social and moral development, and will support pupils’ understanding of British Values such as acceptance and respect for others who hold different world views.
• If you would like to know more about the Agreed Syllabus, a copy can be made available for you to read in school.
• They will take part in lessons, and could also receive visitors to school sharing a range of religious viewpoints and undertake their own visits to varied places of worship.
• Through these experiences they will gain insights and knowledge to help equip them as responsible citizens, ready to contribute positively to our society and the wider world.

• Our standards for Religious Education have been mapped out on our progression document, ensuring children year on year develop their knowledge and skills.
• Religious Education is not taught every week of each term; instead, it has been blocked into half-terms, terms where a particular key unit is taught (see progression maps and long term plans).
• Teachers use standards and break this down into smaller learning objectives; these are mapped out on Medium Term Plans, which develops sequential and cumulative learning and progression.
• In a Religious Education lesson, there will be: 1. Revisit and review, 2. Vocabulary development, 3. Teacher input (modelling), 4. Learning task and 5. Assessment of learning and review of the lesson.
• Within our lessons, a key component is to review previous learning, allowing children to understand their learning journey and giving them the confidence to be able to articulate their understanding and link learning together. Learning is reviewed in a range of ways: quizzes, games and mini assessments. Teachers also review through morning starter activities. This keeps learning refreshed and supports their long-term retention.
• Vocabulary is an integral part of our Religious Education curriculum; we believe it is crucial we give our children the language to be able to talk and write confidently. All children are given vocabulary mats at the beginning of each new unit; this vocabulary is then driven throughout the unit, ensuring children have a clear understanding of it and are equipped to use it.
• When a Religious Education unit is studied, throughout all classrooms, a learning journey is displayed in books, displaying a build up of knowledge and skills and allowing the children a key point of reference to review their learning.
• Teachers assess each lesson’s Learning Objectives and will indicate if learning has required support or has been carried out with independence. Along with teachers assessing learning, children are also required to show independence by assessing their own learning.
• Children will visit different places of worship and show respect at those places.
• Visitors of other faiths and religions will visit school to speak to children giving children first-hand knowledge to learn from experts.

IMPACT

The amazing children of Everton Primary School will (by the end of Year 6):

• Know and understand a range of religions and world views.
• Know how to recognise and have respect for the diversity which exists in our city and wider society.
• Know how to express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and the impact of religions and world views
• Be able to develop their own personal views, with kindness and respect, on a range of issues.
• Be able to develop and use skills which will assist them to engage seriously with religions and world views.
• Know how to connect 2 viewpoints about justice and charity.
• Know how to explain their own ideas on communities.
• Be able to ask questions, consider and discuss ideas of fairness, human rights and the environment.
• Know the importance of and remember examples of prejudice and why ‘never/ again’ is an important idea.
• Know some similarities and differences between writings in holy books from 2 religions.
• Know how to apply the ideas of tolerance and respect to problems in our community and wider.

Our Progression Document, Long Term and Medium Term plans display the learning for each point throughout our Religious Education Curriculum.