RE
We are Philosophers
Intent
Our vision is to allow all members of the community to be the best versions of themselves, hence embodying our whole school vision, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” Colossians 3:23. Alongside living our Christian values of:
Ambition
Courage
Empathy
Leading to learners who work hard and show compassion.
Our RE curriculum includes the appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding so that our children can reach and exceed their potential to learn more, understand more and remember more. Children develop their understanding of the Christian faith, with particular reference to Anglican and Methodist denominations, as well as developing an understanding of other faiths. Our curriculum allows children to develop an awareness and tolerance of living in a multi-cultural society and being mutually respectful towards the beliefs of others.
What is the point of being a Philosopher?
RE aims to give children the knowledge, critical thinking skills, open-minded and respectful attitude with which to investigate the world of religion and beliefs, and make their own decisions about what this means to them, whilst empathising with what it means to those who hold those beliefs. It also aims to enable children to grow spiritually by developing their awareness and skills of reflection, their experience of awe and wonders and their appreciation of stillness and silence.
The aims of being a Philosopher are:
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;
• identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews;
• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
• explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities;
• express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues;
• appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion or a worldview.
Gain and deploy 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;
• 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.
Implementation
At Amesbury C of E Primary we follow the Understanding Christianity syllabus (for teaching Christianity) and Discovery RE (for other religions). Each unit of work identifies and builds upon prior learning.
RE is taught weekly and suitable links are made to specific religious festivals taking place. It is recognised that discussion and listening to others is an important part of learning in RE, so lessons in Key Stage 1 are recorded in a whole class book to gain evidence of the children’s development in learning. In Key Stage 2, individual books are used which gives the children the opportunity to reflect on their own understanding.
Children gain a deeper understanding of the religion studied through the use of resources and artefacts.
Impact
The children at Amesbury Primary enjoy learning lots about other religions and why people choose or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. R.E. acts as a hub, therefore, between social aspects of learning, science and geography. Through R.E, our children develop an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life, which they are then able to communicate to the wider community.
R.E. offers our children the means by which to understand how other people choose to live and to understand why they choose to live in that way. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever-changing and shrinking world, helping the children to understand how they can let their light shine in our school, in our community and in the wider world around them.
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Re Curriculum Vision.pdf | Download |
| RE LTP 22-23.pdf | Download |
| RE Policy Jan 2023.docx.pdf | Download |