Intent
RE is an important part of the curriculum at Ewyas Harold Primary School. It contributes to pupils’ personal development and well-being and to community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society.
We teach children to value and respect the beliefs of others through discussion and we follow the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Herefordshire 2020-2025. This document states the aims of teaching Religious education. It should help pupils to:
- acquire and develop a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain;
- develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on the way people live;
- enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development by:
- developing awareness of the fundamental questions of life raised by human experiences and how religious teachings relate to them;
- responding to such questions with reference to the teachings and practices of other religions and to their own understanding and experience;
- reflecting on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study;
- develop the ability to come to reasoned and informed opinions about religious and moral issues, making specific but not necessarily exclusive reference to the teachings of the principal religions represented in Great Britain;
- develop positive attitudes towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own, and towards living in a religiously diverse society.
Implementation
Throughout the school, children are encouraged to share their own experiences, opinions and beliefs as well as listen to and respect the opinions and beliefs of others, promoting tolerance and inclusion. This occurs through weekly RE lessons, assemblies, visits to places of worship and visitors from the local community coming into school. The school also holds concerts and festivals at the local church to raise the profile of the subject and give the children the opportunity to work together and share their work with the rest of the school, parents and carers.
Impact
Children’s progress and attainment in RE is continually assessed through a range of means, including questioning in class discussions, children’s written work in their books, group presentations, self and peer assessment. This is reported to parents and carers in termly consultation evenings and in end of year reports.
Right to Withdraw
Any parent can request permission for their child to be excused from participating in RE and the school will make alternative arrangements for the supervision of the child during the period concerned. Parents do not have to explain or give reasons for this. This complies with the 1944 Education Act and was restated in the 1988 Education Reform Act. 4.2
The Headteacher will keep a record of all children who withdraw from RE.