Intent

At Newton Leys Primary School and Nursery, our R.E. curriculum is underpinned by our locally Agreed Milton Keynes R.E. Syllabus and the Plan Bee scheme of work. Through R.E, our pupils acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of significant religions including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism Judaism, Humanism and Hinduism. Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children. Pupils will develop their abilities to articulate the beliefs and practices of the major religions. They will be taught to question thoughtfully, and to compare compassionately, in order to celebrate the diversity of thinking across the globe, whilst respecting the rights of others to hold diverse opinions and participate in culturally diverse practices. The aim of Religious Education is to help prepare and equip all pupils for life in today’s increasingly diverse Britain, through teaching the children to become religiously literate. Pupils will develop their ability to make morally based decisions, and to behave with respect and compassion for fellow citizens.

Implementation

Teachers plan from our progression documents, which are underpinned by the Agreed Milton Keynes R.E Syllabus and Plan Bee scheme. This is taught in regular, weekly discrete lessons. In our early years and reception classes, where major religious festivals are celebrated. Links are also made in our ‘understanding the world’ unit between tolerance and celebrating belief. The planning incorporates major festivals, developing key knowledge through this context when appropriate. Teachers adapt the planning to best support the progression of pupils in their class, consulting with the subject leader if there is any major variation. Opportunities to positively reinforce learning through global or national events are used, usually at the discretion of the class teacher. Lessons require pupils to develop their ability to analyse, evaluate and compare between their developing understanding and prior learning about other faiths. Regular low stakes assessments are also used to analyse progress within units.

Impact

At Newton Leys Primary School and Nursery, the children enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to, follow a religion. Through their learning in R.E., the children are able to draw links between their own lives and those of others in their community and across the wider world. Through R.E., our children are developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. R.E. offers our children the means by which to understand how other people choose to live and to understand why they choose to live in that way. As a result, R.E. is invaluable in our ever-changing world, reinforcing our work around key British Values such as tolerance and mutual respect.

Please note, children can be withdrawn from R.E. lessons. Please speak to your child's teacher if you wish to withdraw your child from R.E. lessons.