Intent

The teaching of RE at Joseph Turner Primary School, in line with the curriculum aims to enrich a child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We believe that RE not only develops a child’s being but also their thought processes, ability at making links and having the confidence to debate and/or discuss key topics. We aim to provide a breadth of knowledge, prepare children for those puzzling questions and to heighten their empathy skills. Our purpose is to deliver these opportunities in engaging and challenging ways but to also embrace the children’s similarities and differences.

Implementation

RE is taught in all year groups across the school, it is allocated 1 hour per week. Our RE Curriculum for Years 1-6 is based upon the Sandwell Syllabus which has been provided by SACRE. At Joseph Turner Primary School, we cover principal religions across all year groups: Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism and Judaism. We also focus on the non-religious belief Humanism during Years 3 and 5. Our overall approach to teaching RE is based upon respect. We understand that as adults or children we do not all hold the same beliefs or opinions, however, it is about being open-minded, being sensitive to each other and understanding that we are all different. We teach the children through reading well known stories, fables and faith texts. To enhance children’s learning, we draw upon the children’s own experiences of religion. Whether this be through celebrations, visiting places of worship or learning about it outside of school. Having the children direct and develop learning benefits their self-esteem and confidence. RE as a subject still incorporates the Joseph Turner way of learning. We ensure that all children are challenged, collaborative learning techniques are utilised and questioning is not only teacher led but also child led. We also provide children with the opportunity to visit local places of worship.

Impact

The teaching of RE supports our vision as we hope that by providing the children with the opportunity to celebrate themselves and equip them with a wealth of knowledge, skills and understanding it will have a positive impact in all areas of their learning. RE provides the children with the opportunity of interpreting, understanding, making connections, exploring and reflecting. We aim to feed and develop a child’s curiosity.

At Joseph Turner Primary School, we use the SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) documents to teach Religious Education to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. 

The table below shows what is covered in each year group in each term.

At Joseph Turner Primary School, we use the SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) documents to teach Religious Education to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. 

Cultural Capital and RE

Here at Joseph Turner the RE curriculum is designed so that our children have learning opportunities across a range of religions and cultures, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and understanding to be successful now and in their future lives.  We want to ensure all pupils have essential knowledge about religions in our school, community and the wider world, providing a strong foundation to be successful in society and their chosen careers.

We promote understanding and acceptance of all others in our RE lessons and experiences of thinking about others in the world, for example, Comic Relief, taking part in African Drumming and welcoming any visitors we are lucky to meet.

The more we can learn about our wonderful similarities and fascinating differences, the more we become one world and work together to achieve and grow.