Religious Education

R.E. Intent

At Highfield Schools, we believe it is important for our children to be religiously literate. Our RE curriculum is well informed, accessible, equitable and encourages children to build on previous learning, therefore encouraging balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and belief. It develops children’s knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religions, whilst also nurturing respect and sensitivity towards others whose faith, traditions, beliefs and values are different from their own. Our children are taught to celebrate diversity in society through social awareness and understanding differences, and RE lessons offer opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual growth.

Implementation

As required by law, RE is taught as part of our basic curriculum and is taught in accordance with the Bromley Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2020).

Our syllabus is predominantly about all religions and faiths;  Buddism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism are the religions studied. As well as the units which focus on these major religions, our scheme of work also includes thematic approaches and big questions which draw on a number of religions and how they may relate in different ways. Our curriculum enables the children to consider challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality and issues of right and wrong. It allows pupils to develop knowledge and understanding of different faiths, religious traditions and worldwide views. Therefore, RE provides valuable opportunities for reflection and encourages our children to develop their sense of identity.

We aim to use an active approach to learning that is multisensory, creative and far removed from simply relying on children’s literacy skills to show progression, knowledge and understanding. We achieve this through role play, storytelling, discussion, group work, some artistic and practical work.  We recognise interesting hooks such as visiting places of worship and welcoming visitors from different faith communities not only ignites children’s interests, but also helps make learning memorable.

Impact

Children at Highfield, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements - which enhance social, moral, spiritual and cultural development - and the confidence to question others through discussion; they are taught to develop the skill to disagree agreeably. Our children learn from and about religion, to encourage an understanding of the world around them through examining the theology (believing), philosophy (thinking) and social science (living) of the world we live in today, within a historical and religious context.