Curriculum Information

Intent:

At Redlands, Religious Education (RE) is an important part of our curriculum. It helps pupils develop understanding, respect and appreciation for different beliefs, cultures and worldviews.

Our RE curriculum is coherent, progressive and carefully planned. It supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, while encouraging curiosity, reflection and critical thinking. Through learning about a range of religions and worldviews, pupils develop empathy, respect and the knowledge needed to contribute positively to a diverse society.

Religious Education Knowledge-Led Curriculum Aims:

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure all pupils:

1. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews.
2. Express ideas and insights about the meaning, significance and impact of religions and worldviews.
3. Use key skills to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with different beliefs and perspectives.

Implementation

How Religious Education is planned and taught:

Our RE curriculum follows the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus. Learning is carefully sequenced so pupils build on prior knowledge and make meaningful links with new content.

Retrieval practice is used to help pupils remember key knowledge and apply it confidently. This happens in two main ways:

1. Daily Review: To activate prior learning, most lessons begin with a daily review.
2. Spaced Retrieval Practice: Key knowledge is revisited on three separate occasions, spaced out from the initial teaching. This approach helps secure long-term knowledge acquisition and ensures that children retain what they have learned.

EYFS:

The Early Years Foundation Stage framework differs significantly from the national curriculum as it is structured across seven areas of learning rather than traditional subject areas. The skills taught in EYFS contribute to the RE curriculum, however, they are not always delivered as subject-specific knowledge and skills. The most relevant early years outcomes for RE are drawn from the ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning.

These knowledge and skills are primarily imparted through children’s play and exploration during continuous provision times throughout the day. Teachers intentionally plan enhanced activities that allow children to learn through their own discoveries. Some aspects of ‘Understanding the World’ are also integrated into RE lessons, where children explore topics such as people and communities, as well as significant events like religious festivals. This approach ensures that early years’ pupils develop a broad understanding of the world around them, laying a solid foundation for their future learning in Religious Education and beyond.

KS1/ KS2:

In Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2), the RE curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the agreed syllabus. This includes learning about Christianity throughout each key stage, as well as studying the principal religions represented in the UK. These religions include Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism.

Our classrooms reflect the diversity of beliefs found in our community. We recognize that children from families with non-religious worldviews, such as Humanism, are also represented among our pupils. These worldviews are integrated into our curriculum and are studied alongside the major religions.

Pupils in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 participate in carefully planned units of RE lessons. This ensures that all pupils have the opportunity to develop their understanding of different faiths and worldviews, promoting respect, tolerance, and a broad appreciation of cultural diversity.

Enrichment Opportunities

Every year group will have the opportunity to visit a place of worship linked to the unit of work they have studied.

Impact

Formative Assessment:

The impact of RE teaching at Redlands Primary School is supported by formative assessment that ensures continuous monitoring and enhancement of pupil progress. Throughout lessons, formative assessment strategies such as questioning, retrieval practice, quizzing, independent learning tasks, and the assessment of work provide ongoing insights into pupils’ understanding and development.

For Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), progress is documented via Dojo, while in Key Stage 1 and 2, it is recorded in their books.

Summative Assessment:

Summative assessment is completed at the end of each unit by using the unit assessment proformas for Key Stages 1 and 2.  These are aligned with the Leicestershire Agreed RE Syllabus.

Tracking Pupil Progress:

Individual progress in Religious Education is communicated to parents through two termly Parents’ Evenings and an end-of-year report. These formal communication channels provide parents with insights into their child’s development in RE.

Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus

Right to Withdraw from Religious Education (RE)

Parents and carers have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (RE) lessons. If you are considering this, we encourage you to speak with the Headteacher first, so we can explain the aims and content of our RE curriculum and answer any questions you may have.

If you decide to proceed, please submit your request in writing to the school office. We will work with you to make suitable arrangements for your child during the withdrawn sessions.

We respect all families’ beliefs and values, and our aim is to ensure every child feels included, safe, and supported in their learning.