RE

At Abbott Community Primary School, Religious Education (R.E.) gives children the opportunity to explore the beliefs, traditions and worldviews that shape our diverse society. Our R.E. curriculum follows the Manchester SACRE Agreed Syllabus and encourages children to ask thoughtful questions, explore different perspectives and develop their own ideas and understanding.

Through R.E., children explore some of the big questions that people have asked throughout history, including questions about belief, meaning, values, identity and how we should live our lives. They learn about different religions and worldviews and are encouraged to listen respectfully to the views and experiences of others.

As a community school, we are committed to helping our children develop positive, respectful and open-minded attitudes towards people from different religious, spiritual, moral and cultural backgrounds. We celebrate the diversity within our school community and encourage children to appreciate and value the similarities and differences between us.

Our R.E. learning also helps children to understand the wider world and the ways in which individuals, communities and countries are connected. We value the beliefs, cultures and experiences that our children and families bring to our school and use these to enrich our learning.

Alongside our weekly R.E. lessons, children have opportunities throughout the year to learn about and celebrate a range of religious and cultural festivals and celebrations. These may include Chinese New Year, Holi and Eid, helping children to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the diverse world around them.

Through R.E., we aim to nurture children who are curious, thoughtful, respectful and confident in expressing their own ideas, while appreciating the beliefs and viewpoints of others.

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:

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
• 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 wellbeing 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.