Religious education is unique in the 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’.
Aims
The broad aims of religious education are set out within the Church of England Education Office Statement of Entitlement (2019) and the agreed syllabus followed by the school, the Suffolk Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.
The primary purpose of religious education is to promote religious literacy. By this we mean that pupils are able to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and belief.
The aims of RE are to enable pupils to:
• Know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical text;
• To gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews studied;
• To engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human experience and existence;
• To recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places; and
• To explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking.
In achieving these aims, religious education contributes in a significant way to the flourishing of all children, allowing them to live life in all its fullness (John 10:10).
As a VA school, RE is taught in accordance with our Trust Deed.
RE Curriculum Intent
As referenced in the Church of England Statement of Entitlement (2019), Religious Education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). In line with our theologically rooted vision, it is that this will help educate for dignity and respect, encouraging all to live well together. Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions (and worldviews) and for the religious freedom of each person.
We believe high-quality sequential religious education (RE) ensures we are able to fully meet the statutory requirement and to teach a full curriculum that prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain. Central to our Religious Education offer is the study of Christianity as a living and diverse faith, focused on the teaching of Jesus and the Church.
In line with the Church of England's Statement of Entitlement and our theologically rooted vision, our RE curriculum is a priority within the school, integral to our mission of enabling all pupils to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually. It enables pupils to acquire a rich, deep knowledge and understanding of Christian belief and practice, balanced with a range of other religions and worldviews.
Through our RE curriculum, we aim to provide a high quality, sequential framework that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to navigate and contribute positively to our diverse world.
Our enquiry approach (as shown below), through the Emmanuel Project curriculum, encourages critical thinking, empathy, and respect for different perspectives, allowing students to reflect and develop spiritually through the ‘big questions’. This provides opportunities for our children to carefully consider the profound questions of life, belief and morality.
