Intent

At White Court Primary School, we aim to deliver an engaging, broad and balanced Religious Education Curriculum which is accessible to all pupils. We provide our children with opportunities to learn about and from a range of religions and beliefs with the aim of equipping pupils with the appropriate knowledge and understanding to enable them to develop an insightful and positive attitude to diversity in their own communities and the wider world. Through high quality R.E. teaching, we aim to promote respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs and encourage pupils to ask questions and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. By developing their understanding and appreciation of different religious and cultural beliefs and practices in the local, national and wider global community, we aim for pupils to become responsible and respectful members of the diverse society and world in which they will live.

Implementation

At White Court we follow 'Essex Sacre', the Essex agreed syllabus for Religious Education. Where the following religions have been selected for study:

• Christianity
• Hinduism  
• Judaism
• Islam
• Buddhism
• Humanism (KS2)

Planning 

We follow the Essex SACRE scheme of Work.

Planning includes the following information: 

• Learning objectives and required outcomes of the lesson 
• Links to the children’s own beliefs and experiences
• Differentiation (SEN and Greater Depth children) 
• Review of learning - Reflection (could be at the beginning, part way through or at the end of lesson)
• Key words/grammar to specifically teach. 

Teaching and learning

Children have opportunities to generate ideas and reflect on their own experiences and beliefs with their peers, accessing a range of learning styles. They explore theological, philosophical and human and social science questioning and are encouraged to think outside the box.

Children are given opportunities to work in a variety of grouping; individual, mixed ability pairings, similar ability pairings, small groups, whole class.

Marking and feedback  

In the moment marking is used, with verbal feedback identified at the point of support.

White Court School Marking Policy is followed.

Children in FS and both Key Stages are given the opportunity to reflect on their work, identifying what they have learnt and how it relates to their previous knowledge and their own beliefs. 

Assessment 

Self and peer assessment is used regularly in all year groups (sometimes verbal).

Formative assessments are ongoing and teachers ensure they address any misconceptions for cohort/class/group/individual gaps.

Learning Environment

Children are allowed to reflect on and share their ideas and beliefs (Both religious and non religious) in a safe, understanding and inclusive environment.  

Include Key vocabulary to support children. 

Children should be made aware of and have access to resources that will help them. 

Impact

We are proud that our children say that they enjoy their RE lessons and feel a sense of fascination in learning about themselves, others and the wider world.  They are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world.  They are engaged and enthusiastic in their lessons and feel happy and safe to ask questions and comment on their own beliefs and those of others.

Our Religious Education curriculum offers children opportunities to understand what other people believe, how they choose to live and why they choose to live in that way, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become tolerant and empathetic members of our diverse and ever changing world.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
• Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
• Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
• Learning walks.
• Marking of written work in books.