RE

Intent

At Bishop Wilson we have adopted the Religious Education scheme of work from Discovery RE.

Religious Education is unique in the school curriculum in that it is neither a core subject nor a foundation subject but the 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.

Religious Education is taught in our school because it makes:

“a major contribution to the education of children and young people. At its best, it is intellectually challenging and personally enriching. It helps young people develop beliefs and values, and promotes the virtues of respect and empathy, which are important in our diverse society. It fosters civilised debate and reasoned argument, and helps pupils to understand the place of religion and belief in the modern world”.  (RE: realising the potential, Ofsted 2013).

This fits with Bishop Wilson’s vision that is guided by “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10). As a Church of England school, our values are rooted in Christian theology, as we provide our children with the skills and attributes to become valuable and respectful members of our society.

Bishop Wilson Church of England Primary School is a Church of England Voluntary Aided School. We deliver RE in line with the Discovery RE programme.

Implementation

By following Discovery RE at Bishop Wilson Church of England Primary School, we intend that Religious Education will:

• adopt an enquiry- based approach as recommended by Ofsted, beginning with the children’s own life experience before moving into learning about and from religion.
• provoke challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs, the self, and issues of right and wrong, commitment and belonging. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, and religious traditions that examine these questions, fostering personal reflection and spiritual development.
• encourage pupils to explore their own beliefs (religious or non-religious), in the light of what they learn, as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and how these impact on personal, institutional and social ethics; and to express their responses.
• enable pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging, which helps them flourish within their communities and as citizens in a diverse society.
• teach pupils to develop respect for others, including people with different faiths and beliefs, and helps to challenge prejudice.

• prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society. It encourages empathy, generosity and compassion.

• develop a sense of awe, wonder and mystery.
• nurture children’s’ own spiritual development
• Ensure that our Religious Education helps to develop religiously literate pupils as per the 2018 SIAMS inspection framework.

Curriculum Enhancement

We believe that children should have the opportunity to have “memorable experiences” that will engage them and excite their interest so to achieve this we plan trips and visitors which support the topics we study. Children have the opportunity to visit places of worship and have visitors representing different faiths. Furthermore, every year, we Faith Week where each year group focuses on a different faith.

For the school’s approach to the assessment of RE, please see the school’s Marking, Feedback & Assessment Policy (2023).