RE Curriculum Statement
Curriculum Intent
At Humberstone Infant and Junior Academies, our Religious Education (RE) curriculum has been thoughtfully designed to embrace and celebrate the rich diversity of our community. Our curriculum aims to deepen children’s understanding of various faiths, beliefs and key religious concepts beyond the scope of the curriculum. The concepts which are woven throughout the curriculum are; Worship, Practice, Belonging, God, Holy Books and Prayer. These concepts are carefully sequenced from EYFS to KS2 to ensure the children’s understanding is deepened as they progress through the school. We follow the Leicestershire agreed syllabus, planning RE in units that pose big questions (e.g., “Why do some people think life is a journey?” and “What does it mean to belong to a faith community?”) to encourage children to explore and develop their knowledge and understanding of the religions and worldviews taught at Humberstone which are, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Humanism.
We strive to equip our pupils with a comprehensive understanding of diverse religions and worldviews, empowering them to develop their own ideas, values, and identities. In line with our whole school approach to oracy, all pupils engage in meaningful dialogue to enrich their understanding of RE. This dialogue is further supported through the use of religious artefacts, encouraging questions and respectful discussions in classrooms for all pupils. Through high-quality discussions, all pupils are encouraged to articulate their personal beliefs, ideas, values, and experiences with clarity and coherence, while respecting the perspectives of others. Our curriculum encourages all pupils to engage with challenging questions, observe and consider the use of religious artefacts, and be exposed to a wide range of religions and worldviews. By exposing children to a diverse range of faiths, in both lessons and religious celebrations days, children learn and practice important British Values such as tolerance and respect. Through rigorous planning and careful sequencing of lessons, pupils not only deepen their understanding of various faiths and beliefs but also cultivate critical thinking and empathy.
Implementation
Medium-term plans have been designed for EYFS to Year 6 using the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus. This ensures that RE allows pupils to explore and inquire into key questions, achieve appropriate outcomes, explore relevant RE resources, and visit local places of worship. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, children across both schools acquire the knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of diverse religions and worldviews. RE is taught directly each week and through focused lessons in line with key religious festivals, using engaging activities that include drama, role play, discussion, and the use of appropriate artefacts. Children also participate in special assemblies and weekly community circles, providing further opportunities to discuss, debate, and share their subject knowledge, which develops their knowledge of religious celebrations. There are regular opportunities to engage the communities of both the Infant and Junior Academies in culturally diverse celebrations and events. For example, KS2 children perform the story of Rama and Sita, and Christmas is celebrated through various performances, including nativity plays in our local church and a visit to the church by F2 children, where they sing Christmas songs and learn about the Christmas story. Other religious events are celebrated throughout the year through assemblies and community circles.
Impact
The RE curriculum is rigorously monitored by the RE subject leaders. Through meticulous book scrutinies and insightful pupil interviews, subject leaders assess children’s depth of understanding, ensuring they can fluently articulate religious concepts and beliefs using subject-specific vocabulary. In addition to this, the monitoring processes reveal not just understanding but also an enthusiasm among the children to actively participate in RE lessons. They eagerly share insights into their own beliefs and practices and demonstrate an unwavering respect for all.
By the end of EYFS, the children lay the foundation for their educational journey by acquiring the essential knowledge to seamlessly transition to KS1 and beyond. They are directly taught Christianity, Sikhism and Islam and engage with these religions through; hearing stories such as The Nativity Story, Rama and Sita and Guru Nanak and the Cobra; engaging with artefacts from these religions and discussing with adults the importance of special people and events in these religions. Direct teaching allows children the chance to begin building their schema of the key concepts of God, worship, belonging, practise and Holy Books, which continue to weave their way throughout the entire curriculum. As well as direct teaching, children will have a chance to explore other religious festivals and cultural days from around the world such as Diwali, Eid al-fitr and Lunar New Year through continuous provision. Our provision will encourage curiosity as children explore these festivals and express themselves through role play and creativity.
By the end of Key Stage 1, the children’s understanding deepens as they explore Christianity, Sikhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. They gain firsthand experiences by visiting sacred places such as mosques and churches, listen to and reflect on important stories and parables and begin to develop an understanding of religion’s local and global significance. During their studies in Key Stage 1, children are encouraged to be curious about their learning and explore religions with curiosity, tolerance and respect. The children will continue to build their understanding of the key concepts in RE as their knowledge progresses in Key Stage 1. This lays a strong foundation for their future studies, where they will delve deeper into these topics with more detail and complexity.
By the end of Key Stage 2, the children leave with a profound understanding of diverse faith traditions. They engage with complex concepts like prayer and core beliefs, while also exploring non-religious worldviews such as Humanism and Atheism. Guided by their experiences visiting various places of worship, they develop a holistic perspective on religious diversity and its implications in today’s world. The RE curriculum enables individuals to develop and articulate their own views, values, and beliefs, while also fostering respect towards others who hold different views and beliefs. Additionally, the curriculum allows children to confidently and respectfully engage with people from all walks of life, which is an essential trait that can be honored through an appreciation and understanding of religious diversity. Through the curriculum, children will leave Humberstone Junior Academy as well-rounded individuals, who are equipped with the knowledge to prepare them for their future studies but also to engage positively and tolerantly with the wider world.