Religious Education
At Thurton CEVC Primary School we acknowledge the importance of Religious Education in everyday life to enable children to have an awareness of the beliefs of others and have a well-rounded view of our diverse world. We encourage our children to reflect upon a range of beliefs through RE enquiries, based on worldviews of local, national and the wider global community.
We aim to enable pupils to become religiously literate within our RE teaching through philosophical, theological and human/social science enquiries.
Progression of Learning
‘The RE curriculum offers pupils a depth and breadth of learning. It provides opportunities to learn about a range of beliefs including Christianity as a global faith. Exciting experiences strengthen learning. These include visits to a synagogue, Cambridge Mosque and York Minster to promote a meaningful understanding of world faiths. The ‘tube-stop’ curriculum map in RE is a valuable tool that communicates clearly to pupils what their learning journey is. Visiting speakers and debate club further enrich the curriculum by exploring big questions and building on RE experiences. Access to RE training and effective mentoring builds staff subject knowledge so that curriculum delivery is of a consistently high standard.’ SIAMS Report June 2024
The key knowledge that the children will acquire is embedded within the Norfolk RE Syllabus for both key stages. At Thurton CE Primary School we link this learning to the broader topics being covered each term in each class. However, it can also be taught discreetly if appropriate links to RE cannot be made within the topics. Throughout the year, the children will learn RE through a balance of theological, philosophical and human/ social science topics and will learn about a range of worldviews and religions.
Each unit of learning is presented to the children as a learning journey with a clearly defined end point which can often be a project or enquiry which will demonstrate their understanding. This allows children to understand the small steps in learning that need to take place to achieve the larger goal at the end of the of the journey.
Example Years 5 and 6 RE Unit:
Teaching Guide:
Our RE curriculum is designed to build upon the knowledge & skills that children have previously learnt. Where a new religion is taught, the children are then encouraged to make links and comparisons between this and other religions that they have previously learnt about. Teachers frequently check existing knowledge prior to starting a learning journey and links to previous and future learning are made clear. We use the Norfolk age related expectations for RE to review and assess the children’s learning throughout each of their learning journeys. Feedback is shared with parents at termly learning conferences and yearly reports.
Characteristics of an effective RE Learner at Thurton CE Primary School:
