Religious Education

RE aims to enable pupils to become religiously and theologically literate so they can engage in life in an increasingly diverse society. It is not about telling pupils what religious views they should have but rather assists them in gaining shared human understanding, developing personal identity and searching for meaning in the context of evaluating different viewpoints. (Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus 2017-2022)

Intent of the RE Curriculum at Wheatfields Juniors

At Wheatfields Junior School, we have followed the guidance from the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus 2017-2022, alongside our own ambitious curriculum to give all learners the knowledge and necessary skills to be able to develop Religious and Theological literacy. We will achieve this through the introduction and deeper study of religions and worldviews. Through the programmes of study we expect our pupils to make progress in eight key areas of RE over their four years with us. 

Our intent is to develop religious vocabulary to an extent whereby our children can communicate knowledge and understanding of a range of theological concepts by the time they leave us in Year 6.

Implementation  - What does RE look like at Wheatfields Juniors?

• Teachers use a range of different teaching methods and activities, such as in depth discussions, use of artefacts, guest speakers, creative projects, and visits to places of Worship. These visits help to enrich their understanding of the communities in which they live, both locally and further afield, thus ensuring our children respect differences, but also can distinguish similarities between the religions and beliefs in our world today. 
• Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and to explore their personal reflections. As it is important to make connections in their learning, pupils will revisit each of the eight key areas listed above every year so they can reinforce their learning and commit to memory. 

• Each year the children will cover the following topics (with references to the eight key areas), building on skills from previous years to ensure connections are being made:
• Marking festivals, traditions and key events in life (Beliefs and Practices) 
• Symbolic expressions in prayer and worship (Symbols and actions) 
• Belonging to a family, a community, challenges and religious leadership (Identity and belonging) 
• Communicating through sacred spaces and prayer (Prayer, worship and reflection) 
• Different ideas about God and Gods, creation and ultimate questions (Ultimate questions) 
• Sacred texts and stories, their guidance and impact (Sources of wisdom) 
• Taking responsibility for living together, values and respect (Human responsibility and values) 
• Reflecting on ethics, what is right and wrong, just and fair (Justice and fairness)

 These subheadings will be met through studying the following faiths in each year group, making comparisons with religions studied in earlier years and introducing ideas from other religions and worldviews as appropriate:

Christianity and Islam in Year 3

Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism in Year 4

Christianity and Judaism in Year 5

Christianity and Buddhism in Year 6

 Impact 

Through the careful delivery of the Agreed Syllabus of religious Education 2017-2022, our pupils will by the end of lower Key Stage 2 develop religious and theological literacy and will: 

• Reflect upon and make connections between their knowledge and understanding of some religions and worldviews, developing religious vocabulary. 
• Examine the different views and shared ideas about religious experience in religions and worldviews. 
• Understand the impact of faith on believers within local, national and global contexts. 
• Demonstrate respect and compassion, recognising a range of viewpoints about identity and belonging.
•  Explore shared human responsibility through enquiry and experience and express personal reflections and curiosity about ultimate questions. Consider and discuss important issues and moral choices. 

 By the end of upper Key Stage 2, our pupils will develop religious and theological literacy and demonstrate: 

• Connections between their knowledge and understanding of some religions and worldviews, reflecting on these, using specific religious vocabulary. 
• Analyse different viewpoints within and between religions and beliefs. 
• Understand the impact of faith on believers within local, national and global contexts.
• Demonstrate respect and compassion responding to diverse viewpoints about belonging, meaning and truth. 
• Explore shared human responsibility and values through enquiry and experience and express personal reflections with increasing curiosity.
• Identify the importance of moral choices, selecting examples and giving reasons to support their ideas. 

RE Curriculum Map