Religious Education

Please click HERE to see an overview of what RE is taught in each year group.

Subject Intent 

Religion provides the foundations for many people’s lives. Religious Education (RE) can promote respect, an acceptance, understanding and appreciation of how people choose to live their lives, both locally and globally. At Whitehill Primary School, we recognise that we have a rich and diverse community. Our RE curriculum has been designed to reflect the different beliefs and values held  locally, enabling our pupils to engage with and question their immediate experiences. The curriculum then broadens to explore how religion shapes people's lives globally. 

RE is an essential area of the curriculum, which ensures that our children are well prepared for life in a world where there are a multitude of viewpoints. By providing both depth and breadth of study, our children will be able to make their own informed decisions and with support, voice their views. At Whitehill Primary, our RE curriculum has been developed for children to enjoy learning about different cultures and religions, which will lead to our children having a feeling of belonging. It aims to nurture pupils’ awareness of diversity as well as a sensitivity to the questions and challenges that different views and cultures can present. We believe that RE is a key opportunity for children to develop morally, spiritually, socially and culturally. 

Religious education is a compulsory subject and forms part of the national curriculum to which every pupil should have access. At Whitehill Primary School, we have moulded the Kent Syllabus to match our children’s interests and needs. Under this curriculum both religious and non-religious world views are studied. This will enable the children at Whitehill Primary to develop a sound knowledge for the following major religions; Christianity, buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, as well as Humanists who follow no religion. Children reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding. We help children learn from religions as well as about religions.

Aims & Expectations 

It is vital that our RE curriculum helps to create an environment for our children to discover about other religions and understanding of the world, this will promote them to develop and voice their own views in a safe environment. In order to do this, our curriculum aims to: 

• acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity, buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism,
• develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities, societies and cultures;
• develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues;
• enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development;
• develop a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own and towards living in a society of diverse religions;

Inclusion & Equal Opportunities 

All children at Whitehill Primary School will be able to access the RE curriculum. In order to ensure that children with special educational needs achieve their full potential, where necessary, lessons will be adapted to ensure all pupils make progress. If appropriate we may support SEN children in small groups or on a one to one basis. Additional resources may also be provided in order to make the learning more accessible. All children will be offered differentiated opportunities, where appropriate, to extend their learning in order to reach their full potential. 

Parental Involvement & Wider Community Links 

We are very fortunate at Whitehill Primary School as we are part of a multicultural community. Teachers should ensure that their children have opportunities to encounter religions, faith and commitment through visits and visitors; making the most of the local Gravesend churches, temples and Gurdwara alongside the Chatham Synagogue and Rochester Cathedral.

Resourcing, Health & Safety Considerations 

Resources should be of a high quality so as to enrich the learning experience. 

Access to a  wide range of artefacts, photographs and text books linked to each topic are readily available. Visits are planned to enhance learning and deepen each child’s understanding . 

To ensure safe practice at all times, staff should be aware of the contents of the Health and Safety policy. Any educational visits require relevant RISK ASSESSMENT documentation to be completed according to the school’s policy. Should staff choose to use candles as part of their reflection time, a risk assessment must be carried out beforehand.

Monitoring 

RE assessment is ongoing and used to inform teachers with their planning, lesson activities and differentiation. RE is monitored throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies.

It is expected that:

• Children demonstrate a positive attitude towards people of any religion and show an understanding of cultural beliefs different to their own.
• Children demonstrate respectful behaviour to all and this is transferable outside of school in the wider community and beyond.
• Teachers assess the children’s understanding of each unit’s linked vocabulary before and after the unit is taught.
• Teachers keep images and videos to document the children’s learning.
• Teachers interview the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
• Teachers scrutinise the students' books and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.
• The teachers’ marking of written work in books leads to further learning.