R.E. at Lower Meadow
R.E. Intent
At Lower Meadow Primary School, where we have an increasingly diverse community, we believe the teaching of Religious Education is important to support our children in their understanding and respect for all.
Our intention is to support the pupils’ acquisition of the knowledge and understanding of the principal religions represented within the UK. We feel it is important for them to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and our behaviour. Learning about other faiths and cultures encourages children to develop an enquiring mind and to think deeply, imaginatively and respectfully about their own ideas and those of other people. We want them to develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. This builds on our Trust values of Empathy, Curiosity, Tenacity, Happiness and Scholarship.
Our curriculum is planned to ensure that our pupils know and can explain the impact that an individual’s religion might have on their daily life, for example observing Ramadan or following dietary rules. Pupils are encouraged to discuss and express their own religious and world views in a safe environment, leading to a deeper understanding and respect for the beliefs of others. This enables pupils to form their own opinions and be respectful of the opinions and beliefs of others. As with all our curriculum subjects, our lessons are driven by language development to support oracy across the school, focusing on key vocabulary in every lesson. Wherever possible, learning is supported by first-hand experiences such as visitors to school or trips to key religious buildings, or taking part in celebrations through dressing up and trying new foods.
The curriculum builds on the Early Years Foundation Stage People, Culture and Communities where children have explored similarities and differences between different religions and experienced some of the different celebrations.
Our RE Curriculum is adapted so that all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and our children in the Hearing Impaired Integrated Resource are to achieve the same outcomes as their peers through a variety of delivery methods. We continuously revise our RE Curriculum, alongside our RSHE curriculum to ensure that learning is sequenced systematically and coherently. We also adapt the curriculum during the year to address any local or National current events that impact on the key religions or on our local community.
Implementation