R.E

R.E is for all pupils

Every pupil has a legal entitlement to R.E. R.E is a necessary part of a ‘broad and balanced curriculum’ and must be provided for all registered pupils in state-funded schools in England, unless withdrawn by their parents (or withdrawing themselves if they are aged 18 or over). The ‘basic’ school curriculum includes the National Curriculum, R.E, and RSE.

R.E is locally determined, not nationally

A locally agreed syllabus is a statutory syllabus for R.E, recommended by a local standing advisory committee for R.E (SACRE) for adoption by a local authority. R.E is compulsory for all pupils in academies and free schools as set out in their funding agreements. This is a contractual responsibility. Academies may use their locally agreed syllabus, a different locally agreed syllabus (with the permission of the SACRE concerned) or may devise their own curriculum.

R.E is multifaith, and recognises the place of Christianity and the other principal religions in the UK. Non-religious worldviews are included.

The R.E curriculum, drawn up by a SACRE or used by an academy or free school, ‘shall reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain’. Contemporary guidance from the Government makes clear that the breadth of R.E will include the six principal religions of the UK and nonreligious worldviews.

Department Intent

Consent. Tolerance. Respect.

“The highest result of education is tolerance” – Helen Keller

Knowledge in R.E	In our Religious Education curriculum, we aim to provide pupils with knowledge about religious beliefs and practices and to explain how these are applied in people’s everyday lives around the world. We will cover a range of religious views, from ancient cultures to modern beliefs, including non-religious ideas in order for the pupils to learn about different global perspectives. This is designed to teach the students how to recognise contrasting belief systems and how to be tolerant and accepting of them. Our curriculum is planned to cover the diverse range of religious and cultural beliefs followed by the majority of our pupils, while also exposing them to less well-known cultures and faiths. This will ensure that they can see the influences and connections between faiths. Pupils will be shown how religion can be controversial and how this can be dealt with in a reasonable and respectful way.
Curriculum in R.E	Beginning the KS3 curriculum with topics on each of the 6 main world religions, pupils will gain the knowledge to discuss challenging topics such as the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God and issues of right and wrong. Pupils will have the opportunity to use this to challenge the ideas that they will study and even consider how they might challenge their own thinking. By the end of KS3, pupils will have an understanding of how religion influences people’s daily lives and the wider impact it can have on communities. They will also look into how conflicts in society over equality, British Values and discrimination link to religious beliefs and how people with faith view these issues. By the end of KS4, pupils will have a strong understanding of the beliefs and practices in Christianity and Islam in line with the AQA specification. As in KS3, pupils will be able to recall key information about the religions and apply their knowledge to themes such as Religion and Life, and Crime and Punishment. They will also have developed their ability to explain religious concepts in extended written answers.
Teaching and Learning in R.E	Each unit covered in the RE curriculum will provide opportunities for independent work, pair work and group work, all of which are used to build different skills such as debating and making judgements. A focus in RE is developing the pupils’ vocabulary by making explicit reference to key words and subject specific terminology which is needed from the start of KS3. All RE lessons contain elements of retrieval practice, new knowledge and application enabling the pupils to consolidate their understanding of each religious group. Pupils have many opportunities for discussion and analysis of topics in order to express their own opinions and develop the skill of being respectful and open to other people’s ideas.
Assessment in R.E	Throughout the course pupils will be given opportunities for different types of assessment. In their lessons pupils will consistently have mini low stakes assessments in the form of knowledge tests, True and False quizzes and regular questioning. KS4 pupils will also be assessed at a minimum of once a half term on their extended writing ability through in class exam questions. Annual end of year exams will also be used to monitor the progress of the pupils over time.
Learning Beyond the Classroom in R.E	The purpose of the Religious Education curriculum is to encourage pupils to think critically about the world around them and apply their learning to their own context which is done by establishing cross-curricular links with subjects such as English and History to help form connections. The aim is to expose pupils to their local religious groups and places of worship so that they can have an experience outside of their own context.

Curriculum Journey

	Autumn 1	Autumn 2	Spring 1	Spring 2	Summer 1	Summer 2
7	How Religion Began	Hinduism	Buddhism	Judaism	Christianity and Islam	Sikhism
8	Diversity Creates Harmony	The best way to support a charity is through money	Religion and science can never agree	Belief in God can only be understood through logic	We are shaped by our upbringing	Radicalisation is purely an individual choice
9	Where does morality come from?	Prophets – What makes a Moral Person?	Radicalisation is purely an individual choice	Islamic Beliefs	Islamic Beliefs	Revision Exam Skills
10	Islam Beliefs	Islam Beliefs	Christian Beliefs	Christian Beliefs	Christian Practices	Christian Practices PPE Examinations
11	Theme A: Relationship and Family	Theme B: Religion and Life	Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment	Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict	Revision Exam Skills	Revision Exam Skills GCSE Exams

Curriculum Overview

Parental right of withdrawal from R.E

This was first granted in 1944 when curricular R.E was called ‘Religious Instruction’ and carried with it connotations of induction into the Christian faith. R.E is very different now – open, broad and exploring a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from R.E on the grounds that they wish to provide their own R.E. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school, including schools with and without a religious designation. Pupils aged 18 or over have the right to withdraw themselves from R.E. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE, and can do so without giving any explanation. (NATRE Guidance)

Should you wish to withdraw your child from R.E, please contact Ms S Lewis (Associate Assistant Headteacher Humanities & PSHE) slewis@leamanorhighschool.org

Lea Manor High School

R.E